After a meeting with leading cement manufacturers, Minister of Works Dave Umahi announced an agreement to sell 50kg bags of cement nationwide between N7,000 and N8,000 within 30 days.
The meeting, ordered by President Bola Tinubu, addressed challenges such as smuggling, bad roads, high energy costs, and forex crisis, which have contributed to the current high prices.
The manufacturers, including Dangote Plc, BUA Plc, and Lafarge Plc, cited issues such as high gas costs and import duties, pledging to work with the government to bring prices down.
The government anticipates further price reductions with interventions addressing these challenges. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, pledged collaboration to remove bottlenecks, while BUA announced plans to supply an additional six million tonnes of cement to ease supply pressure.
Concerns over smuggling to neighbouring countries, where prices are higher, were also highlighted.
The agreement aims to ensure compliance with set prices, with a reassessment planned in 30 days to monitor progress.
Bua Groups, the owners of Bua Cement, yesterday, announced a 50% salary increase to help cushion the negative effects of the rising inflation in Nigeria on their workers.
The report was filed yesterday by REPORT AFRIQUE.
