Ahmed Mackie trading as MACCEM (Mackie Cement) has been engaged in economic sabotage through profiteering and racketeering. Ahmed Mackie has an agreement with the Government of Sierra Leone that mandates him to ensure that cement is always available in the local market. Even the price he sells a bag of cement for is negotiated with the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Ahmed Mackie who last week agreed to sell a bag of cement for Le75,000 is now selling it for Le95,000 to Le100,000 a bag to retailers. He has created an artificial scarcity of the commodity by hoarding about 200,000 bags in his warehouse at Ferry Junction.
Ahmed Mackie who claims to own a cement factory called MACCEM, imports the bulk consignment mostly from Turkey and sells it here in bags manufactured specifically for his company.
It is alleged that Ahmed Mackie buys local cement here and sells it to the public as imported cement which is more expensive than the locally produced cement in Sierra Leone.
Ahmed Mackie sells a bag of cement for Le95,000 and Le100,000 because he is the only importer that has cement in his stores right now. Nobody knows why Mackie is selling the old consignment of cement for Le95,000 to Le100,000 a bag whilst Dangote was last week selling the same bag of cement for Le70,000.
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Edward Hinga Sandy on Thursday ordered Mackie’s warehouse at Ferry Junction shut down by the Police.
Meanwhile, Global Times learnt last night that Mackie’s agreement with the Government of Sierra Leone will be terminated next week.
When contacted on Thursday, Mackie said he was in Turkey and could not comment at that time.
Investigations continue.
