The House of Representatives Committee investigating the arbitrary increase in cement prices has stated that Nigerian businessman and founder of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote is not above the parliament.
The joint Committees on Commerce, Industry, Special Duties, and Solid Minerals called on the management of Dangote Cement to probe over allegations of an arbitrary increase in the prices of cement in Nigeria.
The committee also threatened to arrest the management of the company if it failed to appear at its next hearing.
Dangote’s management had been invited by the committee for an investigative hearing to address the consistent increase in the price of cement in Nigeria.
A special panel, led by Jonathan Gaza, the lawmaker representing Karu/Keffi/KokonaFederal Constituency had expressed worry over the high price of cement.
According to the committee, “No single individual is bigger than the parliament of his country. No single Nigerian is bigger than the National Assembly.”
Gaza while decrying the hardship the high price of cement has brought upon Nigerians directed the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and the Central Bank of Nigeria to make appearances before the committee in the next two weeks.
Measures to address high cement prices
According to the committee, an appearance by the CBN and cement manufacturers will help the House of Representatives deliberate on measures necessary to address the situation for the benefit of the people.
He said, “They want to over-profit without any sense of empathy for the citizens that have given it this platform. I think it calls for a rethink of the position of the government.
“On Dangote my ruling is simple. The laws have given us the necessary powers but we owe you a duty of care. We are going to give you one more chance. We are going to communicate a date.
“Failure to comply with that date, a subpoena will be issued, and a warrant of arrest will be given for you to cause appearance before the National Assembly.”
