Cement distributors and block makers in the South East have urged the regulatory authorities not to back down on the recently reviewed quality standard and grading of cement so as to bring sanity to the troubled industry that has been plagued by series of structure failures.
The stakeholders urge government to sanction any manufacturer of the product that fails to comply within the stipulated period of time.
This is even as the group commended Dangote Cement for compliance without complain, saying the company has shown that it has the interest of its customers at heart and “that everything is not all about profit to the detriment of the well-being of the people.”
They praise the ingenuity of the management of Dangote Cement for having started the production of the 3X 42.5 high grade of cement, even before the government came out with the quality review.
Block makers and distributors who participated during a live phone-in radio programme of the Coal City FM, Enugu, ‘Ka osi aga,’ describe the product as being very good and of high quality.
A construction expert from Benue State, Victor Ojepa called in during the programme to pour encomiums on Dangote Cement for the new product. According to him, he bought the new Dangote 42.5 R 3X cement for his construction project and can attest that the result is excellent.
Sammy Nnaji, an Enugu-based block moulder, says he is excited with the new cement product as it promises extra yield to block makers, saying that with the new cement, the setting time is now shorter leading to less breakages and more income for block makers.
According to him, the new product has opened a new lease of life for block makers and promised to spread the good news to other block makers in the area.
A cement dealer, Reginald Okoro called from Enugu and commended Dangote Cement for making the customer king as the company delivers cement bought by distributors to their door steps or any designated place.
Callers at a similar programme on Unity FM, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, describe housing as a major necessity that need to be secured against collapse, adding that the extra strength in the new 3X cement will prevent building collapse.
Sopuruchi Chukwudi, who called from Umunze, also says the cement is good and of high quality, saying the product will result in stronger buildings and prevent collapse.
Samuel Edeze, chairman, Regional Building Market Association, Abakaliki, in his contribution commended Dangote Cement for the introduction of the new product, noting that the quality of the new product is quite high and demand is increasing therefore resulting in more customers.
Tunde Mabogunje, sales and marketing director, South East, Dangote Cement, who was the guest at both programmes, says the company is always customer focused and introduced the new product to give customers the best of the range.
