Dangote Cement has explained that its current enlightenment on several radio stations across the country is to educate and inform the public on the benefits of using quality cement, especially the new Dangote 42.5 3X cement in their construction works.
According to Chux Mogbolu, director, sales and marketing, South South region of Dangote Cement, the public awareness became necessary as research has shown that most cement users in Nigeria cannot differentiate between the various grades of cement and their uses, hence leading to application of lower cement grade where higher grade cement should have been used.
Mogbolu speaking during a radio programme on Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS) Asaba said because of the abysmal level of knowledge among artisans, block makers, masons and other craftsmen in the building industry, use of 32.5 grade cement in blocking making and house building had resulted in several cases of building collapse.
Describing the qualities of the new 42.5 cement grade, he said the grinding was better, smoother, which makes it to expel pockets of air therefore preventing cracks in pillars, beams and other areas where it was used. The Dangote Cement 42.5 3X public awareness campaign, he stated, is more of a corporate social responsibility project as the company is concerned about the spate of building collapse and the resulting loss of lives and properties.
It would be recalled that as part of efforts towards eliminating the menace of building collapse, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) embarked on the standardisation of the basic inputs in building and construction – like iron and steel, roofing materials. Having completed standardisation in other areas, the agency set out to review cement standard, and adopted a holistic approach as to ensure that standards are maintained in all spheres of the building process.
Following widespread protests over rampant building collapse, the regulatory agency took the step of immediate response to review cement standards in the country. The technical committee of SON consulted widely with stakeholders from all sectors including the Nigeria Society of Engineers, COREN, universities, researchers, builders, block makers towards fashioning a suitable cement standard regime.
The stakeholders agreed to streamline cement types, with 42.5 cement for general purposes while 32.5 will now be restricted to plastering work.
