Incessant building collapse: Dangote cement, block moulders meet in Kaduna
Incessant building collapse: Dangote cement, block moulders meet in Kaduna
//Segun Ayobami, Kaduna//
Two critical stakeholders in building construction; Dangote cement and National Association of Block Moulders of Nigeria (NABMON), converge on Kaduna to brainstorm on their roles in the growth of building construction in Nigeria particularly building collapse.
The ‘makes’ meeting became necessary because each time there is case of building collapse, many Nigerians will first talk about the cement and blocks that were used in such construction, forgetting the role of site engineer who sauce for substandard blocks, iron rod, mixing among others.
Director, Sales, Dangote Cement, Gbenga Akinyombo, said the company will never compromise standard no matter the challenge, saying to ensure that, the company is expanding its plants to make the cement more close, accessible and affordable.
He said, “quality of cement coming out from Dangote cement plant cannot be manipulated even though there is minimum attempt to adulterate it. The quality is tested not by human being but robot which has addressed the possibility of having human errors.
“Today, whenever there is building collapse, the first question people will ask is whether the cement or the block used are standard. So, when the NABMON approached us that we should meet, we agreed and supported it because they are critical stakeholders in building construction in Nigeria.
“In terms of sales, today we are selling between 45-50 percent than what we sell within same time last year. We will continue to improve on daily basis to ensure that we don’t have problem from plant to our esteem end users.”
Also speaking, Regional Sales Director in charge of Block Makers, Dangote Cement, Johnson Olaniyi, reiterated the commitment of the company to always strive to be above the board in terms of quality, availability and affordability.
Olaniyi added that Dangote Cement has been meeting and sensitizing block makers across the country on best measuring ratio and mixing in order to have high quality output which he added, would in turn give them more prospective customers and returns.
Group Head, Civil and Building department, Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Engr Ugbaja Joseph, said his organization is satisfied with quality of cement from Dangote plant but at that, all the end users must come together to know where and who is doing the wrong or right thing with intention of taking fast action where necessary.
“We are already achieving results because when there is building collapse, the blame is always on cement. Dangote cement is good. We have been visiting them, we have certified them after testing their products.
He however urged block moulders to to report those among them moulding substandard blocks and take necessary action to nip it in the bud.
Earlier in an address, National President, NABMON, Alhaji Rasheed Adebowale, implored members of the association to always abide by the directive of SON as they have now been recognised by federal government of Nigeria hence the need to be up to standard at all time.
“The federal government has include block moulders to its construction agenda because of our pivotal role in construction especially, building. That means we have been recognised as key stakeholders and as such nothing but the best is expected of us,” he appealed.
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