The nation’s foremost cement manufacturer, Dangote Cement, weekend at the stated that all the products rolling out from its three cement plants are certified 42.5 grade in line with international standard and quality benchmark.

Reacting to the threat of a coalition of civil society groups and professional bodies in the construction industry to lead protests against manufacturers and importers of 32.5 grade cement, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. DVG Edwin, said Dangote Cement’s adherence to global best practices informed the production of 42.5 grade cement in all its factories.

Addressing a cross section of the media in Lagos, he said that Dangote Cement chose to produce 42.5 cement grade as it is stronger and has better qualities. According to him, the cement grade possesses higher strength capability and is rapid setting making it the preferred grade among block makers, builders and construction workers.

Explaining why Dangote Cement is laying emphasis on the production of 42.5 grade cement, Mr. Edwin said that prior to the nation attaining self-sufficiency in cement production, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) stipulated the 42.5 grade as the grade accepted one to be imported into the country and all importers complied.

He explained that 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. Edwin wondered why SON should insist on 42.5 grade as the standard for import and then allow a lower grade in terms of local production.

“How come during the import era, we are all compelled by the regulatory authorities to bring in 42.5 grades and now since 2012 when import was banned, the same regulatory authorities condoned the production of 32.5 grades?” he asked.

Reacting to claims by a cross section of cement manufacturers that the root cause of building collapse is not cement quality but poor use of materials especially 32.5 grade by builders, Mr. Edwin advocated that the best way to ensure safety in the construction industry is to insist on 42.5 as the grade to be produced and used in Nigeria. He explained that after seminars and training to educate builders on how to use 32.5 grade in building, the unscrupulous ones among them 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 contended.

He debunked claims by some cement manufacturers that switching over to 42.5 grade would impact negatively on their profit margins, adding that producing the grade will lead to a marginal cost increase and it should be seen as a patriotic gesture to stem the tide of building collapse. “We place a high premium on human lives and not cost. Nothing on earth can be substituted for human lives. Those arguing that migrating from 32.5 to 42.5 will erode their profit margin are insincere and selfish as human lives are more important than profit-taking,” he said.

As part of efforts towards promoting best practices in the building industry, Mr. Edwin said that Dangote Cement in the past two years has held several trainings and demonstrations with block makers across the nation to educate them on how to achieve premium results using the 42.5 cement grade.

Giving a breakdown of the different grades of cement available, he noted that 92 per cent of Portland cement produced in the United States are in 52.5 and 42.5 grades, while other imported cement from China, Japan, Denmark and Paris are all 42.5 grade.

According to him, “Over 90 per cent of consumers are not aware of the different types of cement available in Nigeria. Their expectations in respect to the performance of cement are the same regardless of the type. The grade (quality) of concrete to be used may allow 32.5 grade cement for certain construction work such as pavements, rendering (plastering) and culverts but would demand 42.5 grade cement for structures, columns, bridges and multi-storeyed buildings.”

•Photo shows Dangote Cement CEO, Mr. DVG Edwin.