In a major show of support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu?s infrastructure development drive, the Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, has announced a landmark agreement among cement manufacturers to crash cement prices for all federal projects under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Speaking to journalists after a meeting with President Tinubu at the State House on Thursday, Rabiu revealed that the decision, jointly agreed with Aliko Dangote of Dangote Cement, was aimed at boosting the administration?s economic and infrastructure development efforts without cost escalations due to rising input prices.

?We have decided that we are going to freeze the price of cement for any contractor involved with the Renewed Hope projects There will be no increase for the foreseeable future. This is our way of supporting Mr. President?s initiative,? Rabiu said.

He noted that cement prices in Nigeria, despite inflation and forex challenges, remain relatively competitive by international standards.

To further drive this initiative, BUA?s Managing Director, Engineer Yusuf Binji, has been appointed Chairman of the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (CEMAN), tasked with coordinating industry-wide compliance on price stability for Renewed Hope infrastructure projects.

Rabiu also revealed a broader sectoral reform aimed at strengthening capacity in the construction industry.

Cement manufacturers have agreed to contribute N20 to N30 per bag to revive the Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria (CTIN), generating about N15 to N20 billion annually.

The funds will be used to train artisans and bridge the skills gap in construction.

?We?re revamping CTIN not just to train artisans, but to sustain the gains we?ve made in local cement manufacturing,? Rabiu stated.

According to him, Dangote will continue as chairman of the CTIN, while Mangal Cement?s Alhaji Dahiru Mangal has been newly admitted to thecCEMAN and CTIN.

On the food front, Rabiu also reported progress in stabilising prices of essential staples through BUA Foods? aggressive supply-side interventions.

He praised Tinubu?s foresight in approving temporary duty waivers last year for key food imports, which allowed companies like BUA to bring in wheat, maize, and rice, forcing market prices downward.

?Rice is now about N60,000 per 50kg bag, down from N110,000 last year. Flour has dropped to N55,000 and maize to N30,000. This was made possible by the President?s bold six-month waiver policy, which disrupted hoarding and brought relief to consumers?, Rabiu said.

He explained that strategic imports by BUA undercut the hoarding practices of speculators who stockpiled local paddy to drive prices up post-harvest.

?Those hoarders are now losing money because we crashed the price with available stock,? he noted.

As part of industry-wide reforms, the Rice Millers Association has pledged to discourage hoarding of paddy and maintain stable market supplies.

?We now have enough rice to last through the year. Even when the harvest starts, farmers will get fair prices, but hoarders won?t be able to manipulate the market?, Rabiu affirmed.

Rabiu commended President Tinubu for his commitment to economic stabilization and infrastructure growth, and assured continued private sector support.

?Mr President was satisfied with our report. He encouraged us to do more, and that?s exactly what we intend to do,? he said. (The Nation)

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