Representatives of cement manufacturers who were expected at a stakeholder meeting on Monday, July 1, 2024 with the Minister for Trade and Industry, K.T Hammond have boycotted the engagement due to the presence of the media at the premises of the Ministry. 

According to the representatives which include, GHACEM, Dangote, CBI, Cimaf, and Diamond Cement, the meeting was scheduled to be held behind closed door.

They, however expressed surprise that the minister had invited the media without their knowledge. The manufacturers who not enthused by the decision to include the media in the meeting boycotted. 

Mr. Hammond, who insisted the media must be part of the meeting therefore went ahead to address the journalists, indicating that he will protect the interest of the state.

 He warned that government will not accept orders from the cement manufacturers.

“The cement manufacturers are beginning to dictate for the political head of the Ministry what they want. I don’t think it is acceptable. I don’t do things in darkness. I have done my best and told the country that we had several meetings with them but they failed to comply with the directives”.

Mr. Hammond disclosed that all efforts to get the manufacturers to come to the negotiation table have proved futile.

“They have refused to come although they’re in the building but because of the camera and media presence. I have given them enough opportunity to bring ideas for us to sanitize the system but they won’t cooperate” he said.

Mr. Hammond announced plans to officially begin efforts to lay the new Legislative Instrument (LI) in parliamentary for consideration tomorrow.

He is of the view that this will help control the pricing of cement and break the monopoly enjoyed by the producers.

He insisted that more opportunities have been given to the manufacturers to make an input but to no avail.

“God willing, tomorrow I will officially make the effort to have the LI laid to regulate the pricing of cement in the country. I think it is atrocious to have a situation where every blessed minutes there will be cement price increases” he warned.