Parliament Holds Emergency Discussion With Cement Stakeholders

By Abdul Rahman Bah

On Wednesday, April 2, 2025, the Parliament of Sierra Leone, through the committees of Trade, Finance, and Transparency, convened an emergency hearing to address the rising concerns surrounding cement imports in the country. The hearing brought together key stakeholders, including major cement importers such as Macem and Leocem, and officials from the Ministry of Trade and Industry. In her opening remarks, Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay, the Chairperson of the Trade Committee, made it clear that the purpose of the hearing was not to intimidate anyone, but to find a solution to the ongoing cement crisis. She emphasized the importance of conducting such hearings to safeguard the interests of both businesses and citizens. “As Members of Parliament, we are here to protect the investments of importers while ensuring the rights of the people are upheld,” Hon. Sesay remarked. Hon. Ambrose Maada Lebee, the Chairperson for the Transparency Committee, also expressed his concerns, particularly about the significant price increases in cement over the last three weeks. He noted that the people of Sierra Leone were heavily reliant on cement, making the situation even more pressing. Hon. Lebee raised issues about the lack of transparency in some of the agreements in the cement import sector, pledging that his committee would investigate further. He also urged the Ministry of Trade to support Leocem in ensuring competition in the market, stressing the importance of supporting local content. Hon. Kadie Sesay further clarified that Section 93 of the 1991 Sierra Leone Constitution mandates various Parliamentary committees to summon Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) for such inquiries. She assured that Parliament was committed to ensuring that the challenges within the cement industry were addressed effectively. During the proceedings, several concerns were raised by both the importers and the committee members. Importers shared their challenges with rising transportation costs, limited access to cheaper cement, and the impact of inflation on their pricing models. They also pointed out the difficulties of managing supply and demand amidst these price fluctuations. The parliamentarians, however, stressed the need for accountability and transparency within the cement distribution system. Hon. Latif also joined the discussion, highlighting the need for effective competition in the market, and expressing his support for measures that would protect both consumers and local businesses. He reiterated the importance of creating a sustainable and fair environment for all stakeholders involved, ensuring that future pricing does not become a barrier for citizens in need of affordable cement. The hearing ended with a commitment from Parliament to monitor the situation closely, with promises to act if necessary. The committee also expressed its intention to revisit the issues discussed in subsequent meetings to ensure that the market stabilizes and that fair practices are upheld.