The Cement Producers Association of Nigeria has cautioned that the federal government’s plan to introduce concrete roads could lead to a cement price increase to N9,000 per bag.
This warning was conveyed through a statement jointly signed by the National Chairman, Prince David Iweta, and National Secretary Chief Reagan Ufomba on Sunday.
Currently, a bag of cement is sold for N5,000. The association also called on the government to address the ongoing issue of rising cement prices by promoting greater participation in the cement industry, emphasizing that Nigerians should not have to pay more than N5,600 per bag.
While Ufomba praised the Works Minister’s support for cement-made roads, he cautioned that there could be dire consequences if the supply side of the issue is not properly addressed. The cement producers urged the government to prioritize road design that allows for both cement technology and asphalt pavement to be used simultaneously, allowing for a smooth transition and giving contractors time to invest in the necessary equipment and retooling.
The statement reads, “Our findings from various parts of the country show that cement sells for as high as N6000 per bag in the rainy season. Our prediction is that it will sell for over N9,000 per bag in the dry season, especially with the pronouncement of the Honourable Minister of Works on cement technology and the marching order on housing by Mr President if the government does not take proactive steps.
“While we commend the Honourable Minister’s position on cement-made roads, we warn of the dire consequences if the supply end is not properly addressed. In fact, it would amount to dereliction of duty not to intervene.
“And the time is now. To do otherwise is to continue in a worsening pipe dream that prices would suddenly drop on this essential input that will continue to drain the purse of Nigerians, render them homeless, encourage chaos between demand and supply, and worsen the infrastructure deficit it sets out to cure, and lead to an unprecedented price hike.
“We also call on the Honourable Minister of Works to lay more emphasis on the design criteria of roads that allow both cement technology and Asphalt pavement to run concurrently, in turn, will provide ample time for a smooth transition that allows contractors to invest in commensurate and requisite equipment and retooling.
“We must also as a nation regulate static and dynamic load traffic by introducing weighbridges at access points on our highways. Working in sync with contractors, and allied Ministries of Trade and Investment, Transport, Environment and Finance on realistic policy on cement is most desirable at this critical time.”
The association also urged the government to finalize the backward integration policy from the late Yar’adua administration, which had already been positively impacting the availability and affordability of cement in the country.
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