…Urges cement manufacturers to reduce prices now

From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has called on cement manufacturers across the country to immediately reduce the price of cement.

Umahi said  the current cost of cement products was placing pressure on the ongoing Federal Government infrastructure projects and increasing demands for contract variations.

He stated this while delivering a keynote address at the official unveiling of the new corporate identity of Lafarge, now rebranded as HBM, a member of the HUAXIN Group, at the Lagos Continental Hotel at the weekend.

He revealed that the Federal Government would engage cement manufacturers from July 1 to address the issue of cement prices.

“I want to insist that Lafarge now HBM and other manufacturers of cement should reduce their prices,” Umahi declared.

“We shall be engaging on this from July 1. Manufacturers of cement must reduce their prices because the contractors are choking me to review their contracts. But nobody is reviewing anybody’s contract. It’s the manufacturers of cement that should review their cost.”

The Minister noted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was investing heavily in critical infrastructure across the country, creating unprecedented opportunities for manufacturers and investors. He urged HBM and other industry players to expand their capacity to meet the growing demands of the nation’s infrastructure revolution.

Commending the company on its transition and renewed commitment to the Nigerian market, Umahi assured the management of the government’s support and partnership. “I commend you very highly and I say welcome onboard and we are going to work together. The market is smaller than what the president is doing. So, enlarge your coast,” he said.

The Minister highlighted the remarkable progress being recorded under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the area of infrastructure development. He pointed to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as one of the evidence of the administration’s bold vision and commitment to national transformation.

According to him, the quality and scale of the project had continued to attract global attention and admiration. “When the Dudge Bank came to evaluate our project, they said it was undervalued and that the project is of topmost quality. Today, Our neighbouring nations are coming to steal the technology of the coastal highway.”

Umahi, a former Governor of Ebonyi State, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for providing the leadership and political will driving the country’s infrastructure renaissance, assuring Nigerians that the administration remains firmly on course to restore national prosperity.