Reps Threaten Arrest Of Dangote Cement Management Over Price Hike

The House of  Representatives  Joint Committee on  Arbitrary  Increase  in  Cement  Price  on  Tuesday  threatened to arrest the management of Dangote Cement if  they  fail  to appear at its next hearing.
 
  Recall that the  House  of  Representatives  Legislative  Committee  on May 7, 2024, issued a 14-day ultimatum to cement manufacturers to appear before its joint committee and  outline  their  allegations  regarding  the arbitrary  increase  in  cement prices in Nigeria.
 
  The Chairman, House  of  Representatives  Committee on Solid Minerals, Jonathan Gbefwi,  has  called  for  a public hearing to investigate the arbitrary increase in  cement  price  in Nigeria by cement manufacturers,  to  be  organised by  the  Joint Committees on Commerce,  Industry  and  Special  Duties  of  the  House  of  Representatives.  and Solid Minerals in Abuja.
 
  Officials  of the cement  factory  were  absent  from  Tuesday's  hearing;  an  event  that did not  go  down  well with the committee.
 
  The special  panel,  while advocating  a  downward  revision  in  cement prices, expressed  concerns  that the cost of the product  had  become unaffordable  for  many Nigerians, given the current economic situation in the country.
 
  It  ordered  the  Nigerian  Cement Manufacturers Association  and the Central Bank of Nigeria to appear before it in two weeks to deliberate on  necessary  measures  to  tackle  the situation for the benefit of the people.
 
  In a brief  comment  at the event,  Gbefwi,  who represents Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal  Constituency  of  Nasarawa  State,  on the platform of the Social Democratic  Party,  accused cement manufacturers of making life  miserable  for the  masses  and  smiled  at the banks  outside  empathy.
 
  "They want to  make  excessive  profits  without  feeling  any  compassion  for the citizens  who  gave  them this platform.
 
  "As  for  Dangote, my  decision  is simple. The laws have given us the necessary  powers,  but we  have  a duty of care. We are  giving  you one more chance. We  will  let  you  know  a date.
 
  "Failure to  meet  this  deadline  will  result  in  a  summons. An  arrest  warrant  will be  issued  for  your  appearance before the National Assembly.
No  man  is bigger than the parliament of his country. No  Nigerian is bigger than the National  Assembly,"  Jonathan warned.

 
  https://punchng.com/reps-threaten-arrest-of-dangote-cement-mgt-about-price-rise/