Fawaz Building Materials have moved swiftly to address the issue of cement and iron rod shortage in the country by making urgent arrangements to immediately bring in 30,000 Tonnes (600,000 bags) of imported cement and a huge quantity of iron rod from Turkey. The two vessels are expected in Freetown by the end of September.
At a time when majority of Sierra Leoneans are going through hard times, people like Ahmed Mackie are busy engaging in profiteering and racketeering. Ahmed Mackie does not care how Sierra Leoneans feel, as long as he continues to make money. That is Ahmed Mackie for you!
The high freight cost in the international market coupled with the shortage of containers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, have led to the dramatic shortage of cement and iron rod in the local market, which has led to the sudden increase in the prices of these essential commodities. Over and above that, the exchange rate of the US dollar to the Leone has also gone up exponentially.
The Government of Sierra Leone should review some of the taxes levied on imported commodities such as iron rod and cement. The outrageous charges by Nectar are difficult to justify. They need to be urgently reviewed by the Government of Sierra Leone!
The Ministry of Trade and Industry needs to step up their public and media engagements to avoid negative speculations by the public.
