₦airaland Forum

aribisala0:
This is not about being an ideologue

I do not argue things I have not researched

The fact that there is a ban on imports creates an oligopoly and abuse

Dangote cement is the most profitable cement company in the world
The. EBITDA is nearly 60%

This is outrageous

The biggest cement company in the world Anhui us doing under 20% and selling at $2

Dangote will only drop prices when there is competition and if that comes in the way of a threat of imports so be it

The main input in cement manufacturing are energy and limestone
China imports energy Dangote does not

Clearly the cement industry in Nigeria are operating as a cartel and opening up for imports is the only way to keep them on their toes

This is particularly important for government infrastructure

Umahi is talking about concrete roads the difference between 2 and 7 dollars is too much


Dangote should be happy with 20 % profitability like the 4est of the world

Ttalk:
I get your point but the world of capitalism is cruelty and domination It would be easy for Dangote to still operate at importation level and still dominate it.

His intention will still be to create cartel that will still maintain high price.

Government cannot by directly from the company from China for its project, it can only buy through a company and Dangote will still be one of those companies

bamasite2:
Umahi, the real Professor of Engineering!
Let your own Professor, including His Excellence, Mr. Peter Obi, come and debate with him on Engineering. I wan check something!

aribisala0:
You need to open the space for imports of cement

$7 Cement is unfriendly to infrastructure ambitions

Cement is $2 in China
The other thing us construction should be buying cement by the tonne at wholesale prices

Michaelajah:
Bonny people sef no even like make dat road open. I bin dey there last year when Dem bin wan open that same road, Bonny people bin dey vex.

SeaTrade:
Cement takes up the least cost in infrastructure development,
I don't think $7 cement is the cause for infrastructure deficit.
And no,we don't need to open up for cement importation,
Or are you going to provide the importers with the required fx?

aribisala0:
Least cost ?can you educate us
What exactly is the cement cost in the Lagos Calabar Road portion built so far

SeaTrade:
Equipment cost and it's logistics and stone/asphalt takes the bulk of the cost.
For concrete roads,gravel and rods take the bulk cost as well as equipment and logistics.
I'm not particular about any particular project,I'm talking generic.
Also ,if you buy cement at $2 ,you'd still freight it and pay levies.
What I want you to know is high cement cost isn't what is causing infrastructure deficit in Africa,
Lack of credit is,caused by incapable banks and an unstable economy.

jlinkd78:
Who noticed that Umahi gave d cost per kilometers

Pakute:
Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi has directed that the Bodo-Bonny Road in Rivers State be opened to users by the end of November, with full completion and commissioning scheduled for December.

Umahi gave the directive during an inspection tour of federal road projects across the South-South and South-East regions, where he assessed the level of work done by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc on the 37.9-kilometre Bodo-Bonny Road project.

He disclosed that the project, which began on October 20, 2017, had undergone several cost reviews, from an initial ₦120 billion to ₦199 billion, and finally to N280 billion, following President Bola Tinubu’s approval to ensure completion.

“This project, 37.9 km, we call it Bodo-Bonny, is exactly eight years old today. The commencement of the project was on 20th of October 2017. The initial contract sum was ₦120 billion as of 2017, later augmented to ₦199 billion, and now ₦280 billion. The President directed, ‘go and give them what they want,’ because of his commitment to the people of the Niger Delta,” Umahi explained.

He said the cost translates to about ₦7.4 billion per kilometre, which he described as reasonable given the terrain and the standard of work being executed.

“This is a coastal route going through marshy lands. If we were to do this project now, it would cost over ₦15 billion per kilometre. The quality of work is very good, and I’m very happy with the commitment of the project manager,” the Minister stated.

Umahi directed that all barricades be removed by the end of November to allow for partial traffic flow while monitoring continues until the final asphalt surfacing is completed early next year.

“By 15th December, every job here should be completed except asphalt on five kilometres. From the end of November, open the road for traffic and monitor it through December, January, and February before final surfacing. Thereafter, the President will come to commission it,” he announced.

The Minister also revealed plans to install solar-powered streetlights, CCTV cameras, and trees along the embankments, noting that the enhancements would be financed from the project’s contingency funds without additional cost to government.

“Security of this road is very important. If we have reasonable contingency costs, we’ll use them to plant trees, put solar lights, CCTVs, and also create relief stations where vehicles can park and we can monitor security,” he added.

Reacting, Julius Berger’s Project Manager, Tim Nippert, commended Umahi for his trust and encouragement, assuring that the project would be completed within the stipulated time.

“We are very happy for your trustworthy words. You have given us a critical challenge, but we will meet it and not delay it. That’s our full commitment,” Nippert said, describing the project as a new benchmark for concrete road construction in Nigeria.

The engineer’s representative, Ndom Ndifreke, also confirmed that work was progressing smoothly and would be completed on schedule.

At the Eleme-Onne section of the East-West Road, Umahi expressed satisfaction with work handled by Reynolds Construction Company (RCC), explaining that the project had been redesigned from asphalt to reinforced concrete pavement to accommodate heavy industrial traffic.

“This is the most trafficked road in Nigeria, serving the petrochemical plant, port, and refinery. We found the initial ₦156 billion asphalt design inadequate and redesigned it using reinforced concrete for durability,” he said.

The Minister revealed that one carriageway and the Aleto Bridge were near completion, with the remaining flyovers and bridges expected to be delivered by April next year.

He directed the installation of solar lights and CCTVs at 30-metre intervals and called for the construction of truck parks to prevent heavy vehicles from damaging the new road.
Umahi also warned against misuse of public infrastructure, urging citizens to take ownership of government projects.

“The President is building roads meant to last 100 years, but we must protect them. People should stop parking trucks on bridges or dumping refuse on medians. Leadership is not just for those in office; every citizen has a role,” he stressed.

The Minister further assured contractors that funding for all NNPC-sponsored road projects, including those in Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta States, would continue without interruption.

“Funding will not be a problem. By the end of this week, we’ll present a strategic plan to the President for continuous financing of NNPC projects. None of these projects should stop,” he said.

RCC representatives, in their response, thanked the Minister for his guidance and pledged to complete the Eleme section as scheduled.

Umahi concluded by reaffirming President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to completing key infrastructure across Nigeria, saying the Bodo-Bonny and Eleme road projects reflect the administration’s resolve to transform the nation’s transport network.

https://www.channelstv.com/2025/10/25/umahi-directs-opening-of-bodo-bonny-road/

aribisala0:
This is not about being an ideologue

I do not argue things I have not researched

The fact that there is a ban on imports creates an oligopoly and abuse

Dangote cement is the most profitable cement company in the world
The. EBITDA is nearly 60%

This is outrageous

The biggest cement company in the world Anhui us doing under 20% and selling at $2

Dangote will only drop prices when there is competition and if that comes in the way of a threat of imports so be it

The main input in cement manufacturing are energy and limestone
China imports energy Dangote does not

Clearly the cement industry in Nigeria are operating as a cartel and opening up for imports is the only way to keep them on their toes

This is particularly important for government infrastructure

Umahi is talking about concrete roads the difference between 2 and 7 dollars is too much


Dangote should be happy with 20 % profitability like the 4est of the world

aribisala0:
We are not discussing the world of capitalism

There is no such world

I am talking of government whipping companies into line in the interest of Nigeria
Government does not need to buy cement they can give import licences to its contractors like Hitech or Julius Berger

Like I said I do not talk about what I don't know and I don't waste time on theoretical arguments

Your talk suggests a lot if theorising with no knowledge

Government actually threatened Dangote with regard to scenario

Check this out

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/670240-cement-prices-nigerian-govt-threatens-to-allow-massive-importation-warns-dangote-bua-others.html?tztc=1


https://www.cemnet.com/News/story/179177/bua-and-dangote-freeze-cement-prices-for-government-project.html


So they had a conversation but government has not gone far enough
And likely Dangote will be significantly funding 2027 elections for Tinubu


Dangote sells cement in several African countries and Nigeria is among the most expensive

fabolouz1:
Gyeongbu coastal highway in south korea is an example of when political will is put into project .
We are not sincere with project construction in this country .
Everybody is always looking for an avenue to squeeze something from the government .

Putindbutt:
President talk na do. Wailers will not know what will hit them by the time FG starts commissioning projects back to back by next year.

wildernessVoice:
No take glory for this project that has been on since GEJ regime and funded by NLNG

wildernessVoice:
No take glory for this project that has been on since GEJ regime and funded by NLNG