The Federal Government urges cement manufacturers across Nigeria to immediately reduce cement prices, arguing that current pricing increases costs for ongoing infrastructure projects and leads to more contract variation requests from contractors. Minister of Works David Umahi makes the call in statements delivered during a keynote address in Lagos State on Sunday, with several outlets reporting the same message. Umahi says the burden shows up in growing demands by contractors to review or vary contract terms, which he attributes to high cement costs rather than any government-driven contract changes. He also links the issue to the scale of construction activity, suggesting that cement demand is rising and that the industry should respond by expanding capacity.
Multiple reports say the government plans to engage cement manufacturers starting July 1 to address cement pricing. Umahi’s remarks emphasize that manufacturers should review their own costs, while the government will hold discussions with them as part of efforts to align cement prices with the needs of infrastructure delivery. The reports consistently describe the pressure for lower prices rather than new pricing rules or penalties at this stage.
