The House of Representatives Joint Committee on Solid Minerals, Commerce, Industry and Special Duties, Tuesday, expressed displeasure over the non-appearance of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, and the permanent secretary in the ministry, Dr. Mrs Mary Ogbe, as it held an investigative hearing on the arbitrary increase in cement price across the country.
The committee had scheduled the investigative hearing on the arbitrary increase in the price of cement in Nigeria by cement manufacturers for Tuesday, to which the minister, the permanent secretary, directors and other key stakeholders, including some cement manufacturers were invited.
Earlier, Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, while opening the hearing said the public hearing was put in place because it is public knowledge that Nigeria has a housing deficit of over three million for the citizens and other foreign nationals residing in Nigeria, with cement as a major component of house-building.
He said the hearing was fallout of the deep concern and care the parliament has towards the people whom they are representing and the need to have a transparent engagement with all critical stakeholders in the cement industry, especially manufacturers.
Represented by his deputy, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the speaker said the hearing was primarily intended to inform Nigerians what is happening within the housing sector and possibly come out with resolutions as to how we can navigate through and out of the crisis.
Chairman of the House Committee on Solid Minerals, Hon. Jonathan Gbefwi, said the investigative hearing was to find out why there is an arbitrary increase in the price of cement in the country, adding that any increase in the price of cement and other building materials has a multiplier effect in the nation’s economy.
He said the investigative hearing is to find out those who are behind the most recent hike in the products prices.
