NEWS
Reps Sets 14-Day Deadline For Dangote, BUA, Others To Attend Hearing
The House of Representatives Joint Committee has issued a stern ultimatum to major cement industry players, including Dangote Cement, BUA, and IBETO, demanding their presence within 14 days to address soaring cement prices.
This ultimatum comes in response to their failure to attend a crucial investigative hearing on the matter on Tuesday.
The House’s Joint Committee, responsible for probing the sudden spike in cement prices, has summoned Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, to appear on Tuesday, May 21, following his absence from the initial hearing.
Meanwhile, major industry players, including Dangote, BUA, and IBETO, are ordered to appear before the committee on Monday, May 20, 2024, to address concerns about the price surge.
Chairman of the Joint Committee, Rep. Jonathan Gaza Gefwi, who also heads the Committee on Solid Minerals, criticized the companies for disregarding the invitation, stating that their actions demonstrate insensitivity to the challenges faced by Nigerians.
Rep. Gefwi emphasized in his opening statement that a comparative analysis of cement prices in countries such as Kenya, India, and Zambia in 2021 revealed that Nigeria had the highest cement prices when considering the official exchange rates of each nation.
He said, “Nigeria’s price of cement doubles that of India at a difference of 69%, similarily the price is 29% higher than that in Kenya and 39% higher in Zambia. Hence the need for us to come together and find out why. In order to bring succour to our citizens while protecting investors alike.
“Our concern is for all legitimate businesses especially cement production companies in Nigeria to thrive and deliver their objective and services to the people in such a manner that can foster development”.
The chairman of the Joint Committee stressed the significance of the public hearing and debunked the notion propagated by some companies involved in the investigation that parliamentary committees lack the authority to summon private entities.
He clarified, “There is no court order presented to restrain the committee from fulfilling its duties under section 88(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution as Amended.”
He emphasized that parliamentary committees routinely conduct public hearings to gather evidence from the public, guiding their decisions on matters directly impacting citizens, such as the current inquiry.
He added “However, an entity recognised as private under the Law, does not oust in entirety the Powers of the Committee to investigate its affairs especially when the attainment of the objectives of said entity heavily relies on the Resources of the populace.
“Let me also reiterate the objectives of the Legislative Powers and Privilges Act sections 4,5,6 and 7 on the Powers of committees to invite, investigate and summon any person for the purpose of extracting evidence on any matter, whether its public or private. Most especially when the matter affects the citizens and the people for which they represent”
Chairman of the House Committee on Commerce, Rep. Ahmed Munir, expressed concern that the failure of any invited entity to attend the joint committee session would strengthen suspicions that the surge in cement prices was a deliberate move to burden Nigerians unnecessarily and hinder government efforts to alleviate the housing shortage in the nation.
A helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi yencountered a “hard landing” on Sunday.
According to report, the incident took place near Jolfa, a city situated on the border with Azerbaijan, within Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, approximately 600 kilometers northwest of Tehran.
However, details regarding the incident were not disclosed.
The Associated Press noted uncertainty regarding whether bh Raisi was onboard the helicopter during the incident.
Despite rescue efforts, adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain and wind, have hindered access to the site, according to state TV.
Before the helicopter incident, President Ebrahim Raisi had been in Azerbaijan on Sunday to participate in the inauguration of a dam alongside Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.
This dam marks the third joint construction project between the two nations on the Aras River.
Despite Iran’s diverse helicopter fleet, obtaining parts is hindered by international sanctions, with much of its military air fleet dating back to pre-1979 Islamic Revolution era.
Raisi, aged 63, is known for his hard-line stance and previously served as the country’s judiciary leader.
Considered a protégé of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, some analysts speculate that Raisi could succeed the 85-year-old leader in the event of his resignation or demise.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s military prevented an attempted coup on Sunday near President Felix Tshisekedi’s offices in Kinshasa, as reported by an army spokesperson.The Democratic Republic of Congo’s military prevented an attempted coup on Sunday near President Felix Tshisekedi’s offices in Kinshasa, as reported by an army spokesperson.
According to him, the plot, involving both foreigners and Congolese citizens, unfolded in the early hours outside the residence of Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe in the Gombe district, close to the president’s offices at the Palais de la Nation.
General Sylvain Ekenge announced on national television that the defence and security forces had successfully thwarted the coup attempt.
He said “An attempted coup d’etat has been stopped by the defence and security forces. The foreigners and Congolese…including their leader” would “all no longer cause any harm”.
Shots were heard near the Palais de la Nation during the attempted coup, as confirmed by various sources.
General Ekenge didn’t elaborate further on the incident, and AFP’s attempts to get additional information from official sources remain unanswered.
However by late morning, the city appeared calm.
Early social media reports suggested an armed attack on Kamerhe’s residence, with some assailants heading towards the Palais de la Nation.
“This morning, there was an armed attack at the residence of the economy minister,” wrote Japan’s ambassador Hidetoshi Ogawa on X.
He stated that Kamerhe “was not harmed, but two policemen and an assailant were killed according to sources.”
France’s ambassador reported hearing automatic weapons fire in the area and advised French nationals to steer clear of the location.
Videos circulating on social media depicted individuals in military attire at the Palais de la Nation, waving flags of Zaire, the former name of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during the regime of dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, who was ousted in 1997.
Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has dismissed all transition committee chairmen in the state’s 21 local government areas.
This decision was detailed in a letter titled “Expiration of Tenure and Handover to Heads of Local Government Administrations (HLGAs),” dated May 17, 2024, and signed by Collins Nwabunwanne, the state Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs.
According to the letter, the directive will be effective starting Monday, May 20, 2024.
The letter read, “Following the expiration of your tenure as Transition Committee Chairman, you are hereby directed to handover the affairs of your Local Government Council to the Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA), in your respective Local Government Councils.
“This directive takes effect from Monday, 20th day of May, 2024. Thank you for your service to the state. All replies to be addressed to the Honourable Commissioner.”
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