* Commends BEBM for Exhibition
Treasure Ochemeje Lokoja
The National Association of Block moulders, Kogi state chapter has called on the Dangote Cement Company Limited to as a matter of expediency establish Cement Loan Scheme to cushion the effect of subsidy removal on the members.
The kogi state Administrative Secretary of the Association, Comrade Friday Abimaje made the call over the weekend at the 2023 Built Environment and Building Materials Exhibition BEBME in Lokoja.
Abimaje noted that the call for the loan has become necessary to save the industry from total collapse as most of the members are finding it difficult to ply their trades.
He said , as result of the subsidy removal, petroleum products which is one of the major factors of their production has gone above the reach of members, saying , with the loan scheme intervention, the industry will rebound to optimal operations.
He acknowledged the synergy between Dangote Cement Company Limited and the Association, which he said ,has impacted on the growth of the industry in the state, adding that it will be better for the association to have a cement loan scheme where members could draw soft loans to grow their businesses.
Abimaje who commended the organisers of Built Environment and Building Materials Exhibition, for their sustained effort at creating favourable environment for local industries to strive, said, this year’s edition has opened new vista for his members in the management of their affairs.
He added that as users of Dangote Cement, they have learnt and benefited extensively from the training and assured that they will put to use the knowledge gained to train members who were not able to attend the exhibition.
According to him” most of the things we need to know as artisans, from the various presentations, we have come to reality, how to be responsible in our tasks,and a way forward for our business.
” We are the major users of Dangote Cement, lectures on various kinds of cement that we have, was an eye opener for us. Although we have been doing what we are being taught unknowingly, but, we are more equipped now to do better on our trade
” The subsidy removal was a blow to our business. Imagine PMS that we used to buy at #200 is now being sold between#600- #700. This is a serious challenge to us, because our business is dependent on transportation and with the hike on petroleum products, it has affected every aspect of our business.
” Based on the present economic realities facing our business, we are appealing to Dangote Cement Company Limited to establish Cement Loan Scheme for our members to be an opportunity that will cushion the effect of subsidy removal. If at the end of the day, we are able to have the loan scheme instituted, it would put smiles on our faces . For instance, my chairman uses up to a full trailer load of cement every month and I used not less than 300 bags in a month, but with the present situation our outputs have dropped significantly. It is only this assistance that can redeem us.
” He solicited.
While thanking Dangote for the assistance so far rendered to the union in the building of her secretariat and other forms of helps, urge for a reduction of prices of cement to maintain her satisfied customers, stressing that any downward review of prices by competitors could affect their customer’s loyalty.
