The House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals has lamented the arbitrary increase in prices of cement by manufacturers across the country.
Speaking at an interactive session with the management of Dangote cement during an oversight visit to the company in Obajana, Kogi State on yesterday, Chairman of the Committee, Rep Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi, wondered why prices of cement remain high despite the fact that all the raw materials that are used to produce cement are all sourced locally.
While lamenting the difficulties Nigerians faced due to a hard economic situation, Rep. Gaza appealed to Dangote Cement to try and make some concession by reducing the prices of cements.
“I’m appealing to you for the sake of our dear nation, just like the nation stand with Dangote to support his refinery to succeed, I want you to equally look into that and see how you can make concession to make this country great”.
“This is my passionate appeal not just to Dangote alone, but to all other cement manufacturers across the country. As representatives of the people, we know what they are going through to make ends meet.
Group Managing Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Arvind Pathak, said even though the materials are found and sourced locally for production, the raw materials has to undergo a lot of processes before it becomes a finish product.
He attributed the high cost of cement to various production processes as well as flactuating dollar to Naira exchange rates, which he said greatly affected the retail price of cement.