Parliament Holds Emergency Hearing with Cement Importers
By Abdul Rahman Bah
The Parliament of Sierra Leone, through the Committees on Trade, Finance, and Transparency, convened an emergency hearing on Wednesday 2nd April, 2025 to address rising concerns over cement importations. The hearing brought together key stakeholders, including major cement importers such as Macem and Leocem, along with officials from the Ministry of Trade and Industry. In her opening remarks, Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay, Chairperson of the Trade Committee, emphasized that the hearing aimed to find solutions to the ongoing cement crisis rather than intimidate stakeholders. She underscored the importance of such discussions in protecting both business investments and consumer rights. “As members of Parliament, we are here to protect the investments of importers while ensuring the rights of the people are upheld,” she stated. Hon. Ambrose Maada Lebee, Chairperson of the Transparency Committee, voiced concerns over the sharp rise in cement prices over the past three weeks. He noted that cement is a crucial commodity for Sierra Leoneans and stressed the need for transparency in import agreements. He pledged further investigations and called on the Ministry of Trade to support Leocem in fostering market competition and promoting local content. Hon. Sesay further cited Section 93 of the 1991 Sierra Leone Constitution, which grants Parliamentary committees the authority to summon Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) for such inquiries. She reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to resolving the challenges within the cement industry. During the proceedings, importers highlighted difficulties related to rising transportation costs, limited access to affordable cement, and inflation-driven pricing challenges. They also pointed out supply and demand imbalances affecting their operations. In response, parliamentarians stressed the need for greater accountability and transparency within the cement distribution system. Hon. Latif joined the discussion, advocating for fair competition and consumer protection. He emphasized the necessity of a sustainable market structure that prevents excessive pricing from becoming a barrier for citizens in need of affordable cement. The hearing concluded with Parliament’s commitment to closely monitor the situation and take action if necessary. The committee also pledged to revisit the issues raised in subsequent meetings to ensure market stability and fair business practices.
