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Minister Uzoka-Anite Says Concession Be Given To Cement Manufacturers

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8 months ago

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By Gloria Ikibah
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, has said gas concession given to electricity companies should be extended to cement manufacturers as a means of addressing the hike in the product.
The Minister stated at the continued investigative hearing organised the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Solid Minerals, Industry, Commerce and Special Duties, to probe the arbitrary increment of Cement prices on Tuesday in Abuja.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Amb. Nura Rimi, she said: “The cement manufacturers should be accorded ‘the gas to light price’ as enjoyed by electricity distributors”.
She noted that a recent meeting with the  Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi and major cement manufacturing companies, recommended same.
“There is a need for friendly gas pricing. The meeting recommended the gas to power concession given to the electricity companies should also be enjoyed by the cement companies,” she added.
Uzoka-Anite identified some of the challenges facing cement manufacturers to include cost of gas, high import duty on spare parts, road network, high foreign exchange, and smuggling of cement to neighbouring nations;
She said the cement manufacturers and the government noted that the current high price of cement is abnormal in some locations nationwide and it was unanimously agreed that cement retail prices should not cost more than N7,000 to N8,000 per 50kg bag depending on the location.
She further revealed that government advised cement manufacturers to set up a price monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance, and manufacturers have willingly accepted to do so and to sanction any of her distributors or retailers found wanting.
The Minister further noted that the country is self-sufficient in cement manufacturing with major players like Dangote industries Limited, BUA Group, and Lafarge Holcin, and that the Ministry was deliberating on how the Cement companies that stopped constructions can be brought on board, hear their challenges and find a way of bringing them back in the sector.
The members of the committee were not satisfied with the minister’s submissions, as the Committee Chairman, Rep. Gaza Gbewfi wondered why cement manufacturers were complaining about roads, when it is their activities that is largely responsible for the bad roads.
He noted that it was also a corporate responsibility by the cement companies to ensure the maintenance of the road, especially as it should be part of their their corporate social responsibility.
Other members also wondered why Forex was an issue as most of their materials were sourced locally.
Gbewfi in his ruling directed the Ministry to make available its minute with the cement manufacturers, a comprehensive report of all pioneer status issued to all the cement companies from Inception and list of the incentives available to them.
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Reps Direct Ministry of Health to Provide Detailed Report on Nutrition Interventions Amid Malnutrition Crisis

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23 minutes ago

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January 19, 2025

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By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has called on the Ministry of Health to submit comprehensive information on the federal government’s and donor agencies’ nutrition interventions aimed at combating malnutrition in Nigeria.

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Chairman Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Rep. Chike Okafor during a budget defense session eemphasised the need for detailed figures for 2024 and clear projections for 2025, including an overview of contributions from 27 development partners.

Members of the committee also questioned duplications in budgeted nutrition supplies, stressing the importance of transparency and effective utilization of resources to address the nation’s nutrition challenges.

The Ministry, led by Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom, proposed ₦2.9 billion for nutrition interventions in the 2025 budget, focusing on therapeutic supplies and expanding successful community-based programs. Efforts to reduce reliance on imported therapeutic foods and promote local manufacturing were also highlighted.

The committee underscored the need for effective collaboration between government agencies and the private sector to ensure better nutrition outcomes across the country.

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Speaker Abbas expresses sorrow over Niger tanker explosion, multiple fatalities

Published

4 hours ago

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January 19, 2025

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By Gloria Ikibah
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has described the tanker explosion in Niger State as tragic and unfortunate, saying the death toll is alarming.
Naijablitznews.com recalled that a tanker on high speed conveying Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) had crashed on Saturday morning at Dikko Junction, Niger State, along the Abuja-Kaduna highway
The Niger State authorities had put the death toll at 86, with 55 people injured and taken to hospital. The corpses have been given a mass burial at Dikko.
Speaker Abbas, in a condolence message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, lamented that the accident caused the loss of many lives in a terrific and shocking manner.
The Speaker, who called for proper investigation of the accident by relevant authorities, urged motorists to be cautious while driving.
Speaker Abbas commiserated the families of those who lost their lives while praying for the speedy recovery of those who sustained injuries.
He also extended his condolences to the government and the people of Niger State while praying to Allah to grant the deceased Jannatul Firdaus.
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Fear as Trump’s deportation raids in US to start in Chicago immediately afte inauguration

Published

5 hours ago

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January 19, 2025

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

US President-elect, Donald Trump’s incoming administration plans to immediately order a series of deportation raids targeting illegal immigrants after his inauguration.

Chicago is expected to be the first major city targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents as part of Operation Safeguard, the New York Times reported, citing two people familiar with planning the undertaking.

The massive deportation operation is expected to target criminals and gang members in the United States illegally and run for one week.

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Trump has promised to conduct the largest deportation program in U.S. history.

Up to 200 ICE agents are being sent to Chicago to help kick off the operation on Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal reported. The agency has already asked agents to volunteer for the post-inauguration raids.

“There’s gonna be a big raid across the country,” Tom Homan, who will be in charge of U.S. borders once Trump takes office, told Fox News in an interview.

Homan has previously said he will instruct ICE agents to carry out raids on illegal immigrants at their workplaces.

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In addition to Chicago, the sweeping crackdown will also target other major U.S. cities with large immigrant populations.

Trump is set to take the oath of office on Monday, January 20, in an inauguration that will take place indoors.

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