A former Commissioner for Lands in Delta, Mr Raymos Guanah has advised the Federal Government to encourage more production of cement in the country by encouraging more persons to invest in the sector.
Guanah made the call on Tuesday
in Asaba, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The former commissioner decried the recent increased in the price of cement from between N3,500 and N8000 in the last four months.
He recalled that,” Egypt as a country has more than 50 cement factories. Nigeria has only about two to three cement factories.
”The population of Egypt cannot be compared to the population of Nigeria.
”Secondly, the core raw materials cement production are in the country. You don’t import any raw materials to produce cement.
”And as it is now, we have so much resources to produce cement, but only few companies are utilising them.”
He added, ” therefore my advise to government is to encourage more persons to go into cement manufacturing.
”And they should be supported by the Bank of Industry (BOI), commercial Banks and Development Banks among others, so that the country can have at least 20 cement factories.”
Guanah while stressing the need for government to find a way of encouraging sports cement production by allowing more manufacturers to go into cement manufacturing.
”Encouraging more cement manufacturing factories in the country, will give room for builders and dealers to make choices.
”This could also lead to the reduction in the price of cement, ” he said.
Meanwhile, NAN reports that cement as a major component in the construction industry has hit the roof as most persons building, have suspended their projects for the time being.
Some persons who spoke to NAN on the impact of the increased in price of cement, noted that the present economic reality doesn’t not give them the courage to embark on any building project for now.
Mr Felix Chigozie, a civil servant said, ” though I have an ongoing building project, but I have to hold on for now because of the cost of cement and other building materials.”
For Mr Joshua Okeke, a commercial driver, ”life is tough for now. My major project for now how to feed my family and send my children to school, not even building.
”Though completing my ongoing building project is good, but it not a priority for now because of the high cost of building materials especially cement.’
NAN reports that the price of dangote and Bua cement currently, sells for N8200 and N8000 respectively. ”
(NAN)
