Group Gives Africa’s Richest Man, Dangote Ultimatum To Reduce Price Of Cement

The Nigerian Students and Youths Association (NISYA) has asked
the Nigerian government to end all forms of monopoly in cement
production and distribution in the country.

Specifically, the group in a protest in Benin City, Edo state,
accused Dangote Cement Company, owned by African richest man, Aliko
Dangote of increasing the price of its product by 100 per cent.

It gave the cement company and others 48 hours’ ultimatum to
revert to the old price, adding that failure to heed the call would
amount to blocking the highway to stop the distribution of cement
in the state.

The spokesperson for the group, Osemudamen Elvis Ogbidi, said,
“We reject the incessant increment in cement prices. We are
suffering in all sectors ranging from education to agriculture,
health, and security. Are they saying Nigerians should no longer
build houses?

“They increased cement from N2, 000 to N4, 000 in Edo State, yet
the raw materials are got from the state.

“You produce cement here, yet the price has been in increased by
100 per cent. In the North, cement is sold for N2, 000 and here in
Edo it is sold for N4, 000, while in Abia State, a bag of cement is
sold for N6, 000.

“We are calling on the Federal Government to ban all forms of
monopoly in the cement industry, if they support other cement
companies the way they have supported Dangote, there will be
competition in the industry and that will bring down the prices and
companies will produce quality products for higher patronage.

“If Dangote does not revert to the old price, we will barricade
the Benin By-Pass and make sure every truck is sent back,” he
said.

Also, a former Publicity Secretary of Nigerian Students and
Youths Association, Mr Ikehi Lawrence said the bone of contention
is the government’s inability to have a good price control
mechanism.

He said that prices should not be increased arbitrarily.

“The problem is that the government should be responsible and
responsive. In a serious country, there must be a price control
mechanism. That is what the government should do,” he said.

The Nigerian Students and Youths Association (NISYA) has asked
the Nigerian government to end all forms of monopoly in cement
production and distribution in the country.

Specifically, the group in a protest in Benin City, Edo state,
accused Dangote Cement Company, owned by African richest man, Aliko
Dangote of increasing the price of its product by 100 per cent.

It gave the cement company and others 48 hours’ ultimatum to
revert to the old price, adding that failure to heed the call would
amount to blocking the highway to stop the distribution of cement
in the state.

The spokesperson for the group, Osemudamen Elvis Ogbidi, said,
“We reject the incessant increment in cement prices. We are
suffering in all sectors ranging from education to agriculture,
health, and security. Are they saying Nigerians should no longer
build houses?

“They increased cement from N2, 000 to N4, 000 in Edo State, yet
the raw materials are got from the state.

“You produce cement here, yet the price has been in increased by
100 per cent. In the North, cement is sold for N2, 000 and here in
Edo it is sold for N4, 000, while in Abia State, a bag of cement is
sold for N6, 000.

“We are calling on the Federal Government to ban all forms of
monopoly in the cement industry, if they support other cement
companies the way they have supported Dangote, there will be
competition in the industry and that will bring down the prices and
companies will produce quality products for higher patronage.

“If Dangote does not revert to the old price, we will barricade
the Benin By-Pass and make sure every truck is sent back,” he
said.

Also, a former Publicity Secretary of Nigerian Students and
Youths Association, Mr Ikehi Lawrence said the bone of contention
is the government’s inability to have a good price control
mechanism.

He said that prices should not be increased arbitrarily.

“The problem is that the government should be responsible and
responsive. In a serious country, there must be a price control
mechanism. That is what the government should do,” he said.