Cement Dealers Say High Transport Fare Cause Of Increase In Cement Prices

Some cement dealers in Enugu State have decried the increase in the cost of transportation, saying it is the cause of product increase in the state.

The  News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports in Enugu on Thursday that there is an increase of about 30 per cent in the commodity.

A cement dealer, at the Kenyatta Building Materials Market, Anthony Ekigbo lamented the deplorable condition of roads particularly in the South East Zone for the hike in fare.

He said it takes vehicles long hours to deliver goods from Benue or Port Harcourt to Enugu due to the bad roads, adding that the federal government ban on the importation of the product into the country’s market, however, influenced our local production.

According to him, the insecurity being witnessed across the country is also a problem as many lorry drivers dreaded plying for fear of being attacked.

“The Burham cement was being sold for N2,450 but is now sold for N3700. The same applies to Dangote Cement which is more popular in the Nigerian market.

“Dangote cement is being sold for N2,400 in 2020 but is now sold for N3,700 and N3,800 depending on where you bought the product.

“Unicem cement which people refer to as very essential N2,500 but is now sold at the rate of N3,750.

Another dealer at the Nike Timber Market, Abakpa Nike, Emmanuel Tansi, said the product is witnessing a high demand especially now that the dry season is about to set in.