From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives joint Committee on Solid Minerals, Industries, Commerce, and Special Duties has given cement manufacturers in the country, a 14-day ultimatum to appear before it.
The joint Committee, which is investigating the high cost of cement in the country, gave the ultimatum, after the cement manufacturers, including Dangote Cement, BUA, Lafarge, Eagle Cement and Asaka Cement failed to appear at an investigative hearing organised by the panel.
Also, the joint Committee also invited the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake to appear before it.
The chairman, House Committee on Solid Minerals Jonathan Gbefwi, who chaired the panel, expressed dismay over the absence of the companies.
Gbefwi said “so, as it is the resolution of this joint committee, we are giving them 14 days from now, and not 14 working days, 14 effective days to make sure that they make their submissions and appear before this House”.
He added ” we are trying to see to the development of our country. Just as it was emphasized in the opening remarks cement to building is what air is to each and every human being. Let me sound this warning the House of Representatives and the National Assembly is not in receipt of any court order restraining us from inviting anybody.
“And to this end, in the human nature of the House, because we owe them a duty of care, because they are equally Nigerians we are giving them 14 days in which to make their submissions if not, as we have sworn to uphold the constitution we will use everything within our powers to make sure that Nigerians, number one: are not taken for granted and number two are not exploited. We will not sit back while some companies everyday declare billions in naira and dollars and our people can barely afford to get a decent roof over their heads.”