The House of Representatives’ Joint Committee on the arbitrary increase in the price of cement has threatened to arrest the management of Dangote Cement if they fail to appear at the next hearing. This development follows the absence of Dangote Cement officials at the public hearing held on Tuesday, aimed at investigating the arbitrary increase in cement prices in Nigeria.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Solid Minerals, Jonathan Gbefwi, issued the summons during the public hearing organized by the House Joint Committees on Commerce, Industry, Special Duties, and Solid Minerals in Abuja. Gbefwi recalled that the legislative chamber had, on May 7, 2024, given a 14-day ultimatum to cement manufacturers to appear before the joint committee and address the issue of rising cement prices.
The committee expressed concern over the unaffordability of cement for many Nigerians, given the country’s current economic situation. It called for a downward review of cement prices and mandated the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and the Central Bank of Nigeria to appear before it within two weeks to discuss measures to alleviate the situation for the benefit of the public.
Gbefwi, who represents Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency in Nasarawa State under the Social Democratic Party, accused cement manufacturers of profiting excessively without empathy for the masses. He warned that the committee would not hesitate to issue a subpoena and a warrant of arrest if Dangote Cement failed to comply with the new date for their appearance.
In his remarks, Gbefwi stated, “They want to over-profit without any sense of empathy for the citizens that have given them this platform. 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.”