By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
FOLLOWING the sudden upward surge in the price of cement across the country, proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB) has urged President Bola Tinubu to lift the ban on Ibeto Cement Group, Madewell Portland Cement Factory, Idjerhe and others.
IPoB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, made the plea in a statement on Saturday obtained by Stonix News.
“The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the great and indefatigable leader, Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu calls on the Nigerian Government to break the unfavorable Fulani monopoly on cement and other building materials currently being experienced in the country.
“The current suffering of Ndigbo, together with other Nigerians, are consequences of ethnic bigotry policies against Ndigbo’s business interests.
“Dangote and BUA, the two Fulani-owned companies, have been unfairly favoured, and the duo has monopolized cement business courtesy of the Nigeria government under the Obasanjo regime.
“The Nigerian ex-president, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, confiscated the cement licence belonging to an Igbo man, Ibeto Group.
“He rewarded his Fulani boys, Dangote, and BUA with the cement monopoly. Ibeto Group was selling cement at very low prices.
“Back then, prices of cement and other building materials were very affordable because of competition. Even civil and public servants with low minimum wages were able to build houses.
“But as soon as Ibeto and others were pushed out of business by the Nigerian government’s wicked and ethnic prejudice policies, the price of cement started soaring out of the reach of the common man.
“Currently, a bag of cement is sold for almost N12,000, while 12mm of iron rod is sold at N13,000.
“These prices are outrageous because capitalists have the backings of the government through monopoly to reap people off.
“If care is not taken, many Nigerians will become homeless in the next five years, while the capitalists will keep making more money.
“It is obvious to all and sundry that Dangote and BUA companies are ripping Nigerians off with the soaring price of cement.
“How can a country with over 200 million people allow only two companies to monopolize cement business in Nigeria?
“Since Dangote and BUA can’t help reduce the price of cement and other building materials, someone like Ibeto Group with the capacity to bring down the price of cement should be given back his licence to enter back into the Nigerian building materials market,” the IPoB scribe suggested.
Comrade Powerful further urged
Tinubu to “shun tribal politics and suppressive policies by lifting the ban on Ibeto Cement for the sake of Nigerians.”
“There is no need for the Nigerian government to continue pursuing ethnic and economic strangulating policies against Ndigbo.
“The more the Nigeria government continues with the oppressive policies against Ndigbo, the more Nigeria is going into the abyss.
“Ndigbo are like roots. Even when a small part of it is left in the ground, it can grow back and become a giant tree. That is how God created Ndigbo. No amount of envy and hatred can change that.
“If Alhaji Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the President of Nigeria, is interested in reducing the strangling price of cement and other building materials, he should contact Ibeto and other patriotic company owners of building materials for help immediately.
“Ibeto group has the capability to crash the price of cement and other building materials in Nigeria.
“President Tinubu should lift the illegal ban on Ibeto cement so that he can freely compete with Dangote and BUA cement.
“Ibeto group has the antidote to exorbitant pricing of cement and other building materials in Nigeria.
“President Tinubu should read the handwriting on the wall. The Fulani Cabals and their monopolistic capitalists will frustrate his government by crippling the already struggling Nigerian economy,” he warned.
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