……..Suppliers reportedly halt operations, construction sector faces fresh uncertainty
Residents of Akure, Ondo State, are groaning under the weight of a sudden increase in the price of sand, with a 10-tyre truck load reportedly moving from N120,000 to N200,000 and suppliers now threatening a further increase to N250,000.
The development has sparked anger and anxiety among homeowners, builders and property developers, who fear that the crisis could worsen the cost of housing in the state.
Residents said the latest increase came without any satisfactory explanation, leaving many construction projects in uncertainty.
The situation reportedly deteriorated yesterday when sand suppliers embarked on a strike, halting supplies to construction sites and other users.
Mr. Adewale Ajayi, a resident with an ongoing building project, said the situation was becoming unbearable.
“We are already struggling with the cost of cement, iron rods and labour. Now sand has suddenly gone from N120,000 to N200,000, and they are talking about N250,000. This is frightening.”
Another resident, Engr DanielOke, warned that the effect would quickly spread to other areas.
“Block sellers cannot keep their prices the same if sand becomes more expensive. Once blocks go up, the entire cost of building goes up. Government must intervene before this becomes another inflation crisis.”
A block manufacturer in Akure also acknowledged the threat, saying the price of sand directly affects production costs.
“Sand is one of our major inputs. If we buy it at N250,000, our production cost will increase. We will eventually have to increase the price of blocks.”
Property developers are equally concerned, with some warning that prolonged disruption could force residents to suspend ongoing projects.
Residents are consequently calling on the Ondo State Government and relevant authorities to urgently investigate the development, engage the sand suppliers and find a lasting solution to the dispute.
They stressed that the issue should not be ignored because of its potential consequences for housing, employment and the wider local economy.
“Government should act now,” said another resident. “We don’t want to wake up tomorrow and discover that N250,000 has become the new normal.”
With supplies reportedly grounded since yesterday, Akure’s construction sector is now waiting anxiously for intervention.
If the sand crisis is not resolved quickly, residents fear that the next shock may come from the price of blocks, and ultimately, the cost of putting a roof over one’s head.
