Following the earlier promise by
the Federal Government to make cement readily available to citizens through a reduced price, it has become apparent that the cost of the product was yet to drop.
It would be recalled that the government assured that the price would be in the neighbourhood of N1000 or less two years ago but investigations conducted by our correspondent recently, prove otherwise.
For example at the mile 3 building materials section, the various brands of the product are sold between N1,800 and N2000.
An estate developer, Mr. Pius Onyeali who spoke to our correspondent said the high cost of the product was discouraging people from building.
According to him, the development was responsible for the increase in undeveloped plots both in the urban, semi-urban and rural areas.
He further explained that until the price of cement stabilises, people would be forced to do sub-standard jobs.
However, Mr. Eugene Okere who operates a block moulding enterprise at Rumuokoro blamed dealers of the product for the arbitrary increase.
He said while the retailers point accusing fingers at the suppliers or wholesalers the brunt of the high cost was borne by the final consumer.
In a swift reaction, a cement seller at mile 3 market, Mr. Chizioke James who spoke to our correspondent said he and his colleagues have always been fair while selling the product.
He said distance and brand were determinant factors in pricing even as he said government should do more in the area of fixing the price of cement.
Recently however, the president of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote while addressing newsmen assured Nigerians that the high cost of cement will soon be over.
According to him, Dangote cement plans to increase its production lines in three key plants in the country in efforts geared toward crashing the price and making the product available to Nigerians.
Highlighting further, he said plans were already concluded to expand the capacity of its lines at Obajaina, Kogi State, Gboko, Benue State and Ibese, Ogun State from 19.25 million metric tones (MMT) by additional 9 million tones by the end of 2014.
On the production of the new 42.5 grade of cement, Dangote said the move was borne out of the quest to prevent further building collapse and its attendant loss of lives and property.
He explained that before investing in the new grade of cement, manufacturers concentrated only in the production of 32.5 grade of cement despite the fact that they had the capacity to produce the 42.5 grade.