By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives Joint Committee on the Arbitrary Increase in the Price of Cement has threatened to arrest the management of Dangote Cement if it fails to appear at its next hearing.
Naijablitznews.com reports that the management of Dangote Cement has refused to honour the Committee’s invitation to address the problem of cement increase in the country.
The officials claim that there’s a suit restraining Dangote from appearing before the committee, instead they sent the Head od National Assembly Desk Dangote to represent them.
But the chairman of the Joint Committee, Rep. Jonathan Gbefwi said: “We have written four letters, 3 to Dangote and Dangote has vehemently refused to honour the invitation of the House claiming that there is a substantiative suit against another committee, not this committee Challenging their right to appear before the parliament which is their parliament. We did not stop here, we equally sought legal counsel from the national assembly and other independent legal bodies who have expressly said that the position here by Dangote and other members of cement association is foul of the law.
“We ask, was there a substantiative court order restraining the House from inviting you? No! None of such an order was produced to the House. Are you saying that the House that created you because you are a creation of the corporate affairs commission which is the law created by the House and further more the elected representatives that was voted by you cannot equally invite you.
“You say the case is before the court. Which case? The case against the joint committee or is it a case against a separate committee, where there is no ruling that you should not appear before the national assembly. Considering the fact that this country was built on separation of powers where you have the executive, legislative and judiciary”.
The special panel while advocating for the downward review of cement prices, expressed worry over the increase in cement prices and the untold hardships it has brought upon many Nigerians.
“Dangote you have in one stroke implicated yourself because it is not for you to choose what you will come for or what you will not come for. This is the House of the people, you are obligated, it is not by choice when you are invited by this House you are obligated and it is mandatory that you cause appearance.
“It is unfortunate and I find it rather insensitive on the part of Dangote that in my opinion has been forenutured by the Nigerian people. I am very aware of tax incentives, tax breaks, tax holiday you enjoy even.under the pioneer status, oil pioneer status is supposed to on product, you enjoy pioneer status on line on project not product as against the intent of pioneer status.
“You have enjoyed Nigeria but at such a time when Nigerians are groaning under such hardship, you show a high level of insensitivity and you are sending this kind of document. What do we want to achieve by this, let Nigerians hear the true position. When you are in a debate and the debate is open, Nigerians are watching, but you have chosen fir whatever reasons or whatever intent to want to avoid coming to the House.
“The Federal competition and consumer protection commission invitation you are talking about was held after we had invited you after we invited consumer protection here, and we queried them that in our opinion they have slept on their responsibility. That’s when they woke up and invited you, and you thought it wise to attend their own invitation, attend the invitation of Public Accounts attend invitation from oil industries but you will not attend to a critical matter that goes to the nerves and the pain of the average Nigerian”, the committee chairman asserted.
The committee directed the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and the Central Bank of Nigeria to cause appearances before the committee in the next two weeks, to deliberate on measures necessary to address the situation for the benefits of the people.
“They want to over profit without any sense of empathy for the citizens that have given it this platform. I think it calls for a rethink of the position of the government.
“On Dangote my ruling is simple. The laws have given us the necessary powers but we owe you a duty of care. We are going to give you one more chance. We are going to communicate a date.
“Failure to comply with that date, a subpoena will be issued, a warrant of arrest will be given for you to cause appearance before the National Assembly, no single individual is bigger than the parliament of his country. No single Nigerian is bigger than the National Assembly,” Jonathan said.