Building Materials Record Price Increase In Delta

Prices of some essential building materials have increased in the last two months in Delta, our correspondent  reports.

Our investigation revealed that items affected in the price increase included iron rod, sharp sand, granites and cement blocks.

The survey showed that a single bar of iron rod which was sold for N1800 in Asaba, Ughelli, Warri, Sapele and Issele-Uku in March, now sells for N2000.

Similarly, a tipper load of granite stone sold for N49,000 in the cities between March and April, has gone up to N50,000 while a load of sharp sand rose to N15,000 from its former price of N14,000.

During the period, price of a six-inch block rose from N120 to N125 in the area.

Some dealers in building materials who spoke to our correspondent, attributed the minimal increase in the prices of the items to high cost of transportation occasioned by the January increase in petrol price.

Mr John Adebayo of Adebayo Concrete Industry, Asaba, decried the increase in prices of the building materials, noting that “at this period of the year, the prices of building materials usually drop because of the rainy season.”

According to him, the increase in the price of building materials has not only reduced the number of our customers, it has also discouraged the few persons who are still managing to continue with their building projects.

Similarly, a market survey report by Delta Ministry of Economic Planning made available to us confirmed the increase in the prices of the materials, including cement.

According to the survey, a bag of Elephant and Dangote brands which were sold for N2,100 in Asaba, Agbor, Sapele and Warri in March, has increased to N2,200, while a bag of Ibeto cement went up to N2, 150 from N2,050.

Confirming the new price of cement, a dealer, Mr Ignatus Okeke, said: “the cost price of cement from our major suppliers has increased in the last few weeks and there is no way we can sell at the same cost we are buying from them.

“And, apart from the increase in the cost price, cost of transportation has also increased and both added to the increase at our level.’’