As the debate rages over the quality of cement produced in the country, leading manufacturers of the commodity, Dangote Cement Plc, today raised the bar further by launching a much higher grade of the product, 52.5N, into the Nigerian market.

Group Managing Director of the Company, Devakumar Edwin, told newsmen in Lagos today that Dangote Cement Plc has commenced the production of the cement grade from all of its three plants in Ibese, Ogun State, Gboko, Benue State and Obajana in Kogi State.

The cement company said it has scored another first as the 52.5 grade of cement is being produced in the Africa for the first time, thus attesting to the resolve of the Dangote Cement to be a leading international producer of cement.

Basking in the euphoria of the new feat, Edwin disclosed that the new cement grade, which has been certified by the Standard Organization (SON) as conforming to the requirements of NIS 444-2003 and other relevant standards, would sell for the same amount as the lower grade 42.5N type.

Giving reasons for this, the GMD stated that the its costs more to produce the 52.5 grade but that Dangote Cement decided to sell at the same price in the interest of its customers and so as to make it affordable to all.

Edwin flaunted before newsmen, the SON certificate, which reads in part: “Considering the inspection carried out at your factory by a team of SON officers and the outcome of the laboratory samples of the product of your company, I have the pleasure to inform you that the under listed product of your company is hereby adjudged by the SON to conform to the requirements of NIS 444-1:2003 and other relevant standards.”

The Dangote Cement GMD explained that the new cement could be used for all construction purses but that it is the best for any civil construction having bearing column.

He stated that though Dangote Cement was also the first to produce the 42.5N grade earlier while other manufacturers were churning out 32.5 grade, pointing out that the desire to constantly research into how to improve the quality of its products necessitated the new cement grade.

The Dangote Cement boss reasoned that with the higher grade of cement quality, the incidence of building collapse could be controlled.

In his contribution, Engr. Joe Makoju, Honourary Adviser to the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, described the introduction of the new cement as groundbreaking, saying Nigeria is now one of the best quality producers of cement in the world.

“No matter the sophistication of the structure, this is the best grade for any civil construction. Dangote did not create the standard. The standard has been there, we have only blazed the trail by starting its production. Its’ good for lead bearing columns,” Makoju explained.

•Photo shows President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote.