As cement prices continue to surge across Nigeria, block manufacturers under the umbrella of the National Association of Block Moulders of Nigeria (NABMON) have called on the Federal Government to intervene with practical and urgent measures to stabilize the market and prevent a looming construction crisis.
In an Easter message delivered on Sunday, NABMON President, Adesegun Banjoko, voiced concern over the continued inaction on the part of government regarding the persistent rise in cement prices—a trend that has ripple effects across the construction sector, housing delivery, and public infrastructure projects.
“We are waiting for that pragmatic step from the government on this issue of cement prices,” Banjoko stated. “Just as we’ve seen conscious and deliberate efforts to stabilize the Naira and petroleum prices, similar intervention is urgently needed in the cement sector.”
Banjoko applauded the Federal Government’s economic stabilization efforts in other areas, noting that these actions have begun to yield results in curbing inflation. However, he stressed that the same urgency must now be directed at the cement industry, which remains a vital component in Nigeria’s construction ecosystem.
He pointed out that the demand for cement is not just driven by private developers but significantly influenced by government infrastructure projects, especially road construction at both federal and state levels.
“The government must treat this as an emergency. Cement has become the go-to material for road construction, and this added demand is putting upward pressure on prices.”
To combat the supply challenge, NABMON is advocating for the importation of cement or the encouragement of more domestic manufacturers to enter the market. According to Banjoko, increasing supply is critical to forcing prices down and reducing the risk of building collapse resulting from cost-cutting and poor construction practices.
“We must avert the dangers of substandard construction. When cement becomes too expensive, the temptation to cut corners rises, and that poses a threat to lives and investments.”
Banjoko also highlighted NABMON’s ongoing support for quality assurance in the industry. He revealed that the association has introduced a National ID Card with a QR code to help regulatory agencies like the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) distinguish trained and certified blockmakers from unregistered, untrained operators.
“Our ID cards with QR codes are now in circulation. They’re a tool for assisting SON and other agencies in identifying genuine professionals open to training and compliance, separating them from quacks who endanger lives with poor-quality blocks.”
As Nigeria continues to navigate its economic recovery and infrastructure expansion, stakeholders in the building materials sector are calling on the government to act swiftly and decisively to ensure the affordability and safety of construction materials.
