Bauchi block producers lament cement price hike
Some block producers in Bauchi have decried high costs of cement and other production materials. They said the trend was negatively affecting their production outputs and incomes. A cross section
Some block producers in Bauchi have decried high costs of cement and other production materials.
They said the trend was negatively affecting their production outputs and incomes.
A cross section of the operators said this in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), yesterday in Bauchi.
Mr Mohammed Nuhu Khalifa, Manager of the A.H.A Wakili Block Industry, said the rising cost of cement was impacting both producers and consumers, necessitating an upward review of block prices.
Khalifa said nine-inch and six-inch blocks sold at N550 and N450 as against its old price of N350 and N450.
He said the increase followed a rise in the price of a bag of cement from N9,000 to N12,900.
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“The adjustment is necessary to maintain quality standards and durability rather than producing substandard blocks with the risk of cracks and possible building collapse,” he said.
He attributed the hike to scarcity of cement in depots across Bauchi metropolis.
Also, Mr Ahmed Suleiman, an operator at the Nakowa Block Industry, said the hike in cement prices had affected production costs and operations.
“If quality is compromised, it can lead to weak structures or even building collapse due to insufficient cement used during production,” he said.
Suleiman assured customers that producers would continue to maintain quality and standard in spite of challenges.
He urged relevant authorities to regulate cement prices to prevent unintended consequences, including increased risk of building collapse.
