Worried by the spate of building collapse across the country, Dangote Cement Plc and the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) have agreed to partner to check the ugly trend. Both organisations said they would launch investigations into the incidence to ascertain the cause.

Speaking to journalists at the just-concluded 43rd Builders Conference/Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abuja, Chairman of NIOB, Musa Yakubu, said the Dangote Group, a major sponsor of the conference, has agreed as a strategic stakeholder in the building and construction industry, to partner in the development of a strong building culture in Nigeria. The effort, he said, will help tackle the phenomenon of collapsed building in the country.

In his presentation during the conference, Dangote Cement’s Regional Manager, Marketing Services, Johnson Olaniyi, described the conference which had as theme, ‘Transformation of the Building Industry: Possibilities and Realities,’ as timely, given the current developments in the industry.

He said Dangote has simplified the system of cement distribution in the country to make the product available and affordable. According to Olaniyi, the menace of collapsed buildings continues in the country because ‘load-bearing components are not properly used in accordance with specification.’ He said a bag of cement should be mixed with not more than four wheel barrows of sand.

Olaniyi said the incidence of building collapse is of serious concern to Dangote Cement and that the company would always be ready to partner like minds to reduce its occurrence. Dangote Cement, according to him, has begun a sensitisation campaign for block moulders and other sancrete sector players on the need to check the trend. He disclosed that the exercise has taken place in Abuja, Calabar and Lagos in association with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

“Over the years, Dangote has been partnering with stakeholders in the country on how best to make use of the product,” Olaniyi said. “We have given out tools and various equipment to aid their operations. Already, over 8,000 bricklayers have been trained and the retraining process is ongoing to enhance their capacity.

“The move would also help restore consumers’ confidence in the company’s brand. The interest of the end-users is important to us and we have decided to develop these initiatives to address the needs.”

•Photo shows Dangote Group President, Aliko Dangote.