The Stone Dealers Association and Truck Owners Association in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have ceased operations to protest against Chinese firms’ continuous price hikes of materials in the mineral-rich region.
The shutdown, which began last week, is in response to the increased prices of materials and haulage fees imposed by the Chinese firms.
The associations have vowed not to resume operations until the prices are reduced.
Mr. Njoku Godwin Uchechi, the chairman of the Amaeze chapter of the Ivo Association of Stone Dealers, expressed concerns over the relentless increment in material prices, which has led to a loss of customers to neighboring villages in Abia State.
“We want the government to call them to order because the government has fixed prices of shippings.
The prices should come down to enable us to survive in the business,” Uchechi said.
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Mr. Chukwu James Okafor, the chairman of the Anor Stone Dealers Association, highlighted the harsh impact of the price increment on their business, stressing that all sizes of stones are affected.
“We are calling on the state government to come to our aid because the investors are suppressing us. We are suffering while they are enjoying,” Okafor said.
The associations have vowed to continue their shutdown until the prices are reduced, with no trucks currently loading any chipping in Ivo.
Efforts to obtain reactions from the Chinese firms operating in the area were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.