Concrete roads: Cement prices may hit N9,000, says manufacturers

The Cement Producers Association of Nigeria (CPAN) has expressed concerns over the federal Government’s plan to use cement to build concrete roads across the country, fearing it could potentially increase the price of cement to N9,000 per bag from the current rate of N5,200.

In a statement jointly signed by the National Chairman, Prince David Iweta, and National Secretary, Chief Reagan Ufomba, the association commended the Minister of Works for supporting the idea of cement-made roads, but cautioned against the potential adverse consequences if the supply side of the equation is not adequately addressed.

Persecondnews recalls that the federal government through the Minister of Works, David Umahi, had expressed the intention to construct roads using concrete rather than conventional asphalt.

“Our findings from various parts of the country show that cement sells for as high as N6000 per bag in the rainy season. We predict that it will sell for over N9,000 per bag in the dry season, especially with the pronouncement of the Honourable Minister of Works on cement technology and the marching order on housing by Mr President if the government does not take proactive steps.

“While we commend the Honourable Minister’s position on cement-made roads, we warn of the dire consequences if the supply end is not properly addressed. It would amount to a dereliction of duty not to intervene. And the time is now.

“To do otherwise is to continue in a worsening pipe dream that prices would suddenly drop on this essential input that will continue to drain the purse of Nigerians, render them homeless, encourage chaos between demand and supply, and worsen the infrastructure deficit it sets out to cure, and lead to an unprecedented price hike,” the statement said.

The association also called on the Tinubu administration to permanently address the persistent issue of rising cement prices by encouraging greater participation in the sector

According to him, Nigerians should not be made to pay more than N5,600 per bag.

To address this challenge, the cement producers recommended that the government should place more emphasis on road design that accommodates both cement technology and asphalt pavement simultaneously.