By Raphael Ekpang
Nigeria House of Representatives has given cement manufacturers; Dangote cement, BUA, Ashaka and other cement manufacturing companies in Nigeria fourteen days ultimatum to appear before it joint committee to Investigate the arbitrary increase in the price of cement in Nigeria by manufacturers or risk sanction.
The chairman of house committee on Solid mineral, Rep Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi, representing Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency, gave the directives on Tuesday after cement manufacturers failed to honour their invitation to appear before the committee.
He said, Cement has become a cretical aspect of our lives and over few months ago there has been arbitrary increase in the price of cement and it’s giving them concern as representatives of the people, that was why the house extended invitation to the manufacturers so that they can find out what’s wrong But, he insisted the manufacturers blantantly stay away from the hearing a situation that has angered members of the committee and had issued a fourteen-day ultimatum compelling them to appear before it.
He said: “We are trying to see to the development of our country. Just as it was emphasized in the opening remarks, cement is to building what air is to every human being. In the human nature of the House, because we owe them a duty of care because they are equally Nigerians, we are giving them 14 days to make their submissions.
“If not, as we have sworn to uphold the constitution, we will use everything within our powers to make sure that Nigerians are not taken for granted and are not exploited. We will not sit back while some companies declare billions in naira and dollars every day while our people can barely afford to get a decent roof over their heads.” he said.
Recall that the House had adopted a motion on the “Arbitrary increase in the price of cement by the cement manufacturers in Nigeria”, and constituted a joint committee to investigate and report back to it for further legislative action.
