Members of the Federal House of Representatives on Wednesday put the integrity of Speaker Emeka Ihedioha to question, as majority of them embarked on a shouting spree in protest of his overruling the overwhelming majority votes during the debate on protection of cement manufacturers.
The uproar, which lasted for about five minutes, was the fallout of the uncelebrated motion titled “Urgent need to investigate the non-implementation of the backward integration policy on local production of cement,” sponsored by Hon. Hassan Saleh.
Trouble started when the embattled deputy speaker, who was dressed in his traditional outfit with green cap, asked sponsor of the motion to repeat the prayer to the members who had earlier voted “nay” as it was mentioned.
In swift reaction to his unwelcoming position, angered members embarked on a deafening shout that engulfed the chamber for minutes.
Ihedioha, in a face-saving move, eventually bowed to pressure, as he later ruled in favour of the majority amidst the uproar.
Saleh had explained that the non-protection of local cement producers despite glut in the local market has led to continued importation of the product into the country, in addition to job losses in the sub-sector.
He observed that the management of Dangote Cement Plc has concluded arrangements to temporarily close down four million metric ton per annum cement factory in Gboko, Benue State.
“This action is informed by the current glut of cement in the country, which is a direct fallout from increase in local production, and which has been further compounded by the continued importation of subsidised cement into the country, resulting in a situation where the commodity floods the market.
“It is, however, worrisome that the Federal Government is yet to vigorously pursue and implement the provisions of the Cement Backward Integration Policy, which was initiated to encourage and protect local manufacturers from dumping of cement products into the country through importation.”
Saleh lamented that the management of Dangote Cement has, as a result, shut down the Gboko Cement Plant temporarily, asking the workers to proceed on forced leave pending the improvement of the situation.
“By implication, Nigeria would inadvertently be creating jobs for citizens in other countries from where these commodities are being imported,” he concluded.
