A cross section of Nigerians have expressed total dissatisfaction over the rapid increase in the cost of building materials in the country, many have cried out to the government, organized private sector and stakeholders in the manufacturing industry to consider the plights of the people and adopt adequate ways that are capable of providing succor the sudden hike in the cost of building materials which have affected the cost of accommodation and apartments especially in new buildings.
It can be recalled that, through mid to the end of 2021, prices of building materials began to accelerate with concise or little measures put in place in alleviating the hike.
Inquest from retailers of building materials revealed that, the current cost of a bag of cement goes now for between N4,600 and N4,800 from an initial N3,400, prices of rods have also risen. 12mm of rods which went for N1,800 now go for N4,200, a sum total of iron rods – 10mm, 12mm, and 16mm, which were selling for N344,000 and N330,000 in February 2021 have jumped to between N442,200, N446,450 and N442,200 respectively.
Materials like granite which had 30 tonnes going for N180, 000 a trip is currently priced N300,000, a trip of sand that was N12,000 is now N35,000, while a piece of block that was N140 is now N300.
Also, a pack of vitrified floor tiles which were priced N2,700 in 2021 have risen to N3,000, Spanish/Italian tiles now costs N7,000 from initial N3,200.
Imported roofing sheets and ceiling tiles moved to N3,500 per square meter (psqm). The price of plywood which was pegged at N10,000 per sheet last year is now being sold for N12,500. With this high rise in the cost of building materials and construction generally, the intervention of government is strongly needed the implications would not be positive on members of the public.
Retailers and manufacturers of this materials have decried the low level of sales as there is very low patronage from most of their customers who are construction workers. Also, in most building and construction sites as well as welding and fabrication shops, many workers spend most of their time relaxing due to the rampaging issue.
