ASABA-  Delta residents have called for further reduction in the prices of cement to enable more people in the state to build houses.
The people made the call in separate interviews with newsmen  in Asaba.
They said that further reduction in the prices of cement would help to reduce the amount paid as rent in the state since it would enable more people to build their own houses.
They commended Dangote Cement for reducing the price of 50 kilogramme of cement to N1,000 in November last year.
Mr Philips Odinachi, a cement dealer in Asaba said: “We were really happy when Dangote Cement reduced the price of cement in November last year.
“It has, to some extent, encouraged more people to start building.
“I believe when there is further reduction in the price, our sales will increase; it will also reduce the challenge of accommodation faced by civil servants in the state.’’
Mrs Agnes Kalu, a dealer at Agbor, commended the cement company for reducing its prices and said that sales had increased as a result.
Kalu said that further reduction in the price of the commodity would reduce the cost of building and encourage people to build.
According to her, it would encourage more people to get involved in cement business because the capital required for the business would reduce.
Another dealer, Mr Vincent Okolie, said: “One thing we will continue to appeal for is further reduction in the prices of the commodity; this will benefit both the dealers and the buyers.’’
Meanwhile,  newsmen survey shows that prices of cement have increased in the state in the last three weeks.
A 50 kilogramme of Ibeto cement now sells for N1,800 in Asaba and Agbor as against N1,650, while the Dangote brand now sells for N1,750 as against N1,650.
The survey also shows that Elephant cement now sells for N1,900 at Ughelli and Warri as against N1,800 it sold in December.
Similarly, a 50 kilogramme of Rock cement formerly sold for N1,700 now sells for N1,800 in Asaba, Ughelli and Warri.