Ahmed Mackie trading as MACCEM (Mackie Cement) is under pressure not to sell a bag of imported cement above Le75,000 a bag because of the incentives his company enjoys in the importation of the commodity.
MACCEM and Dangote enjoy special incentives from the Government in the importation of cement. Both companies are exempt from paying 15% GST on imported cement. Instead of paying 20% Customs Duty on imported cement, both companies pay only 5%.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry is set to announce the new prices agreed with cement importers for wholesale and retail in the Western Area and the provincial towns, according to reliable sources.
MACCEM announced on Monday that they have brought a ship-load of imported cement from Turkey and that they are expecting another vessel later this month. Even though they continue to enjoy special concessions from the government, MACCEM are determined to sell a bag of cement far above Le90,000. “This is unfair to consumers…Before the shortage of cement was realized a month ago, Dangote was selling a bag of cement for Le70,000…At the same time, MACCEM was selling a bag of cement for Le95,000 to Le100,000”, a senior civil society activist said in Freetown yesterday.
She continued, “We expect the Ministry of Trade to act in the best interest of the people of this country than protecting a cartel of commodities importers…This is unfair to Sierra Leoneans”.
A spokesman for MACCEM told newsmen in Freetown on Monday that the increase in freight charges in the global market has forced them to increase the price of a bag of imported cement from Le75,000 to Le93,000. He continued, “We do not have control over global prices…We are fighting very hard to ensure that there are no shortages of cement in the country again”.
The Director of Trade in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Emmanuel Konjor, was very reluctant to give details of the new prices of cement agreed with importers yesterday. He was very evasive in his response to questions put directly to him by the Global Times newspaper.
Investigations continue.
