A former commissioner for Lands in Delta, Mr. Raymos Guanah has advised the Federal Government to encourage further production of cement in the country through involvement of more investors in the sector.
Guanah made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), today, in Asaba.
Guanah decried the increase in the price of cement from N3,500 to N8,000 in the last four months.
According to him, while Egypt has more than 50 cement factories, Nigeria has only two or three, adding: “Whereas, the population of Egypt cannot be compared with that of Nigeria.
”Second, the core raw materials for cement production are within the country. So, we don’t import any raw material to produce cement.
”As it is now, we have enough resources to produce cement, but only few companies are utilising them,” he said.
The former commissioner urged the Federal Government to encourage more individuals and corporate bodies to go into cement manufacturing.
He said that the potential investors should be supported by Bank of Industry, commercial banks and development banks, among others, so that the country could have as many cement factories as possible.
”Encouraging more cement manufacturing factories in the country will give room for builders and dealers to make choices.
”This could also lead to reduction in the price of cement,” he said.
NAN reports that the price cement, as a major component in the construction industry, has hit the roof, forcing many Nigerians to suspend their projects for the time being.
Some Nigerians, who spoke with NAN in Asaba on the negative impacts of the cement price increase, said that the development had made it practically impossible for them to embark on any building project now.
A civil servant, Mr. Felix Chigozie said though he had an ongoing building project, he had to suspend it, for now, because of the high cost of cement and other building materials.
For a commercial driver, Mr. Joshua Okeke, life is very tough now, adding that his main focus presently is how to feed his family and send his children to school.
”Though I have it in mind to complete my ongoing building project, it not a priority for now because of the high cost of building materials, particularly cement,” he said.
NAN reports that while Dangote cement currently sells for N8,200 in Asaba, BUA cement goes for N8,000. (NAN)
