Some youth of Aflao in the Volta Region are demonstrating to protest the importation of cement into the country from Nigeria.

The importation, they claim has created unfair competition for the cement manufacturing company there, Diamond Cement.

According to them, Diamond Cement has cut down on production from 5,000 to 3,000 tonnes a day and plans to sack some workers.

The youth say a petition to the Trade Minister to intervene in the issue has received no response, hence the decision.

Joy News’ Ivy Setordzi reports that the development has infuriated residents there.

One of the protestors told Ivy the influx of Dangote cement has resulted in the low patronage of Diamond cement – which most of them rely on for their livelihood.

“Our worry is the apparent loss of jobs and livelihood which will be occur if this government does not intervene”, he said.

In a petition, leader of the group indicated that although the government had promised to address the issues, nothing has been done about it.

“Government gave an assurance that the issue will be addressed and subsequently directed the tariff advisory board to probe the issue. However, nothing seems to come out of the probe”.

He questioned why government is allowing the infiltration of foreign products into the country when even developed countries guard their local industries.

“All countries protect their local industries. United States during the financial crisis was able to bail some US companies, knowing very well that the collapse of those companies will spell further doom for the economy.

"We are all clear in our minds that competition is necessary for the growth of businesses and ensuring good consumer pricing but it is also widely known that unfair competition and dumping as we seeing in the case of Dangote cement is unacceptable anywhere in the world not even in their own country, Nigeria".