Cement manufacturers boycott meeting with KT Hammond over price regulation

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 boycotted the engagement due to the presence of the media at the premises of the Ministry.

Dangote, Supacem, Ghacem, Diamond Cement, and CIMAF were the manufacturers purported to have declined to attend the meeting, citing the meeting was scheduled to be held behind closed doors.

They were however surprised that the minister had invited the media without their knowledge. The manufacturers, 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.

Mr Hammond, says he remains unfazed about laying the LI on Tuesday, July 2, in parliament.

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 sanitise the system but they won’t cooperate” he said.