The nation’s foremost cement manufacturer, Dangote Cement weekend at the
stated that all the products rolling out from its three cement plants are
certified 42.5 grade in line with international standard and quality
benchmark.
Reacting to the threat of coalition of civil society groups and
professional bodies in the construction industry to lead protests against
manufacturers and importers of 32.5 grade cement, the company’s Chief
Executive Officer, Mr DVG. Edwin said Dangote Cement’s adherence to global
best practices informed the production of 42.5 grade cement in all its
factories.
Addressing a cross section of the media weekend in Lagos, he said that
Dangote Cement chose to produce 42.5 cement grade as it is stronger and
has better qualities. According to him, the cement grade possesses higher
strength capability and is rapid setting making it the preferred grade
among blockmakers, builders and construction workers.
Explaining why Dangote Cement is laying emphasis on the production of 42.5
grade cement, Mr Edwin said that prior to the nation attaining
self-sufficiency in cement production, the Standard Organisation of
Nigeria (SON) stipulated the 42.5 grade as the grade accepted one to be
imported into the country and all importers complied.
Dangote Cement as a responsible market leader has continued to produce
42.5 grade in its three plants in strict adherence to the stipulations of
the SON. He wondered why SON should insist on 42.5 grade as the standard
for import and then allow a lower grade in terms of local production.
“How come during the import era, we are all compelled by the regulatory
authorities to bring in 42.5 grades and now since 2012 when import was
banned, the same regulatory authorities condoned the production of 32.5
grades”
Reacting to claims by a cross section of cement manufacturers that the
root cause of building collapse is not cement quality but poor use of
materials especially 32.5 grade by builders, Mr Edwin advocated that the
best way to ensure safety in the construction industry is to insist on
42.5 as the grade to be produced and used in Nigeria. He explained that
after seminars and training to educate builders on how to use 32.5 grade
in building, the unscrupulous ones among them still cut corners to cheat
on quality. This incidence of building collapse will be greatly reduced
if we adhere to a common quality specification leaving no opportunity for
manipulations, he contended.
On the claims that switching over to 42.5 grades would impact negatively
on their profit margins by some cement manufacturers, he debunked the
claims adding that producing the grade will lead to a marginal cost
increase and it should be seen as a patriotic gesture to stem the tide of
building collapse. “We place a high premium on human lives and not cost.
Nothing on earth can be substituted for human lives. Those arguing that
migrating from 32.5 to 42.5 will erode their profit margin are insincere
and selfish as human lives are more important than profit taking.” He
said.
As part of promoting best practices in the building industry, Mr Edwin
said that Dangote Cement in the past two years has held several trainings
and demonstrations with blockmakers across the nation to educate them on
how to achieve premium results using the 42.5 cement grade. This has
become a permanent feature in our operations.
Giving a breakdown of the different grades of cement available, he noted
that 92 per cent of Portland cement produced in the United States (US),
are in 52.5 and 42.5 Grades, while other imported cement from China,
Japan, Denmark and Paris are all 42.5 Grade.
He said, “Over 90 per cent of consumers are not aware of the different
types of cement available in Nigeria. Their expectations in respect to the
performance of cement are the same regardless of the type. The grade
(quality) of concrete to be used may allow 32.5 grade cement for certain
construction work such as pavements, rendering (plastering) and culverts
but would demand 42.5 grade cement for structures, columns, bridges and
multi storeyed buildings.”
A coalition of civil society groups and professional bodies in the
construction industry are set to launch a major campaign for the
standardization of the manufacturing and importation of the product. The
coalitions, according to media reports, have called on the relevant
authorities to initiate actions to make 42.5 grade of cement the standard
product in Nigeria.
The stakeholders’ argument is that nearly all the cement manufacturers and
importers in the country are in the habit of taking advantage of the lax
regulation and lack of enforcement to vary their pigmentation in favour of
the lower grade cement (32.5) which in most cases is used in building and
seen to be partly responsible for the collapse of houses. They believe
that the practice, which is quite prevalent, is usually overlooked by the
Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).