House of Representatives Committee investigating the arbitrary increase in cement prices have vowed to order the arrest of the Chairman and CEO of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
The Committee irked by Dangote’s failure to honour their invite, lashed out at the African richest man for his behaviour.
The Reps warned him that, “you are not bigger than the National Assembly.”
Recall that Dangote is the major producer of cement in Nigeria through his Dangote group of companies
In trying to dig into the persisting high cost of cement in the country, the joint Committees on Commerce, Industry, Special Duties, and Solid Minerals had summoned the management of Dangote Cement for questioning. The management is to provide answers over alleged arbitrary increase in the prices of cement in Nigeria.
However, the Reps were angered that no representative of the company was present at its Committee’s sitting on Tuesday
As a result to get Dangote to appear before the Committee, the members threaten to arrest the management of Dangote Cement. The vowed that noting would stop them from arresting Dangote if the company failed to appear at its next hearing.
The Committee has been advocating for the downward review of cement prices in the country.
Led by Rep. Jonathan Gaza, the Committee expressed worry over the increasing prices of cement.
“No single individual is bigger than the parliament of his country. No single Nigerian is bigger than the National Assembly,” the Committee stated.
Speaking on behalf of the Committee Gaza bemoaned the untold hardships the high cost of cement has brought upon many Nigerians.
Towards finding solution to the price crisis, the Reps directed the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, CMAN and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to cause appearances before the committee in the next two weeks.
“This,” the Committee said, “is to deliberate on measures necessary to address the situation for the benefits of the people.
“They want to make over profit without any sense of empathy for the citizens that have given it this platform. I think it calls for a rethink of the position of the government.
“On Dangote, my ruling is simple. The laws have given us the necessary powers. But we owe you a duty of care. We are going to give you one more chance. We are going to communicate a date.
“Failure to comply with that date, a subpoena will be issued. A warrant of arrest will be given for you to cause appearance before the National Assembly.
“No single individual is bigger than the parliament of his country. No single Nigerian is bigger than the National Assembly, ” the Reps said.
source: NAN
Follow us for more news on our WhatsApp News Channels @
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaC505jB4hdZ5Yx9g82U
