Construction failure, building collapse not linked to cement quality, producers insist
Against the backdrop of widespread allegation that the high incidence of construction failure and building collapse in Nigeria are caused by poor quality and sub-standard materials, producers of cement have debunked that allegation, insisting that building collapse can’t be linked to their product quality.
The Nigerian building and construction industry has seen very disturbing incidents of construction failures, particularly building collapse, that has claimed many lives and destroyed properties worth billions of naira.
Irked by this development, a coalition of civil society groups and professional bodies in the construction industry to recently threatened to lead protests against manufactures and importers of 32.5 grade cement, calling on the relevant authorities to initiate actions to make 42.5 grade of cement the standard product in Nigeria.
According to them, 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 32.5 grade) 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).
In a swift reaction, Dangote Cement, Nigeria’s foremost cement manufacturer, took exception to this allegation, insisting that all the products rolling out from its three cement plants are certified 42.5 grade in line with international standard and quality benchmark.
The company explained that its adherence to global best practices informed the production of 42.5 grade cement in all its factories and, according to its Chief Executive Officer, DVG Edwin, Dangote Cement chose to produce 42.5 cement grade as it is stronger and has better qualities, adding that the cement grade possesses higher strength capability with rapid setting, making it the preferred grade among block-makers, builders and construction workers.
Edwin who spoke at a conference with a cross section of the media at the weekend, explained that his company lays emphasis on 42.5 grade cement because before Nigeria attained self-sufficiency in cement production, SON had stipulated that grade as the one accepted 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 said, wondering why SON should insist on 42.5 grade as the standard for import and yet allow a lower grade in terms of local production.
Edwin faulted claims by a cross section of cement producers that the root cause of building collapse is not cement quality but poor use of materials especially 32.5 grade by builders, advocating that producers should insist on 42.5 grade as a way to ensure safety in the construction industry.
“After seminars and training to educate builders on how to use 32.5 grade in building, the unscrupulous ones among us 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 advised.
By: Chuka Uroko