House of Representatives’ Joint Committee on the arbitrary increase in the price of cement, on Tuesday, threatened to order the arrest of the management of Dangote Cement if it fails to appear at its next hearing.
On May 7, 2024, the House had issued a 14-day ultimatum to cement manufacturers to appear before its joint committee and make their submissions on the arbitrary increment of cement prices in Nigeria.
Chairman, House Committee on Solid Minerals, Jonathan Gbefwi, issued the summon at a public hearing to investigate the arbitrary increase in the price of cement in Nigeria by cement manufacturers, organised by House Joint Committees on Commerce, Industry, Special Duties, and Solid Minerals in Abuja.
During Tuesday’s hearing, officials of the cement company were absent; a development that angered the committee.
While advocating the downward review of cement prices, the special panel had
expressed worry that the cost of the product had become unaffordable to many Nigerians, given the current economic situation in the country.
The panel mandated the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and the Central Bank of Nigeria to appear before it in two weeks to deliberate on measures necessary to address the situation for the benefit of the people.
The Chairman, Gbefwi who represents Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency, Nasarawa State on the platform of the Social Democratic Party, in brief remarks at the event, accused cement manufacturers of making life difficult for the masses and smiling to the banks without empathy.
He said, “They want to over-profit without any sense of empathy for the citizens that have given them this platform.
Jonathan warned, “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 make an 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.”
