Tanzania, Aug. 19 -- Dar es Salaam. The government has given cement manufacturers eight days to reduce prices and improve supplies following weeks of shortages that have pushed the price of a 50-kilogramme bag to as high as Sh26,000 in some retail outlets.

The directive was issued yesterday after the Ministry of Industry and Trade summoned cement manufacturers to an urgent meeting to address rising prices and supply constraints.

Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Rajabu Salum, said manufacturers had been given until August 28 to implement measures aimed at improving availability and bringing prices down.

"We met the cement manufacturers on August 18 and gave them eight days to ensure prices come down and the availability of the produ...