Calabar (WorldStage Newsonline)-- United Cement Company of Nigeria, a major producer of cement in the South zone, has slashed the price of the commodity from over N2, 000 per bag to about N1, 600. The represents a 20 per cent cut.
Sales Director of the firm, Mr. William Anam said in a statement issued in Calabar, the Cross River State, it planned to increase its production capacity to 1.8 million tons in 2011, and 2.5 million tons in 2012. The company produced 1.3 million tons in 2009
He said the decision to slash price was in line with the directive of President Goodluck Jonathan.
President Jonathan recentlt met the Cement Manufacturers Association and charged them to bring down price in 30 days.
“Nationally cement companies have risen to the challenge and UniCem, the largest producer of cement in the South-South and South-East, is no exception. The company, with its cement plant at Mfamosing, Cross River State produces the well known UniCem brand of 32,5R all purpose cement which is renown in the region for its superior quality,” the statement said.
“In the recent weeks, there has been good news regarding the price of cement in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States, as the retail price of cement has shown a downward trend. A bag of cement in Calabar is now N1, 600 and N1, 700 in Uyo, comparative to prices in excess of N2, 000 per bag found in parts of the South-South just a month ago.”
The statement aid in addition to producing sufficient cement to meet demand, UniCem contributed towards the availability of cement in the market through addressing distribution challenges in the region, and setting up dedicated transporters for bag or bulk to get product direct to customers.
In order to get the cement product to market, the the statement said the company was building a 20 kilometre road at N5 billion from its Mfamosing plant to the Odukpani junction.
The new evacuation road is expected to shorten the distance to market by 50 kilometres.
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