Cement dealers and distributors in the South West have endorsed the newly packaged Dangote Cement’s 42.5 grade (3X), expressing optimism that the entry into the market of the product would help sanitise the building and construction industry.

Phoning in from different states in the region, callers during a live Yoruba programme of Radio Nigeria’s Gold FM in Ilesha, Osun State, Owuro lojo, the stakeholders pointed out that the timing of the introduction of the cement grade and the decision to rebrand it by Dangote Cement would help check adulteration of the vital products.

To help the consumers of the product, the radio callers urged the government to ban the low quality 32.5 grade from the market so that unsuspecting members of the public would not be deceived.

The callers lauded Dangote Cement for the initiative. They said the incidence of building collapse has become a source of worry to cement dealers as all accusing fingers are being pointed towards them anytime the consumers detect any fake cement.

To ensure effective distribution and force the adulterators out of business, the callers advocated the establishment of depots across the length and breadth of the South West so that the product would be readily available.

Fielding questions from the callers, the Dangote Cement Regional Director for the West, Mrs. Funmi Sanni, who was the guest during the programme, explained that the new cement was an effort by the company to rid the market of low quality cement by ensuring the high quality 42.5 grade is branded in a way that it would stand out. “It is tamper proof and we have ensured it is not easily adulterated,” she said.

Mrs. Sanni explained further that the new cement contained ingredients that make it better than the common 32.5 being produced by some cement companies hence the brand of 3X. She added that the products offers longer life for structures, higher strength and more yield especially for block makers who would make more blocks with the cement than it would do for 32.5 grade.

The Regional Director while thanking the people for their interest in the new Dangote Cement disclosed that despite the fact that the 42.5 is of higher grade, the company has not increased its price. She warned that people should not allow themselves to be cheated.

On the scarcity of cement, Mrs. Sanni assured that all hands were on deck to ensure that cement is available attributing the prevailing scarcity to the shortage of gas being experienced by the manufacturing concern all over the country. She noted that gas is a critical input in the production of cement.

Mrs. Sanni stated that Dangote Cement was considering all options available to source for gas to ensure its brand of cement is available everywhere.

She equally told the listeners that the ongoing nationwide training of block makers by her company would soon cover all the states in the south West. She charged them to insist on 3X anytime they need cement saying only the Dangote 3X that is extra strong and offers extra life and extra yield for both the block makers and other customers.

The training of the block makers according to her is for the block makers to derive the maximum benefits from the product 3X, as they would be thought the right sand and the right measurement of other materials to make strong and solid blocks and more profit.

•Photo shows Dangote Cement CEO EDV Edwin (middle) speaking at a recent media forum.