Franklin Alli reviews current development in the Nigerian cement industry in the last six weeks and reports that with the availability of 32.5, 42.5 and 52.5 grade of cement in the country, it is high time for massive education of bricklayers and masons all over the country for them to know the right kind of cement for a given project and thus ensure safety of buildings.

Devakumar Edwin, Group Managing Director/ CEO, Dangote Cement Plc, recently said, “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 types.

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

Corroborating to this, the Director General of Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Joseph Odumodu, said although there are standards currently in operation in the country with reference to cement grades but the challenge is that people do not know what they buy.

Brand and quality of cement

“People just ask for cement without bothering what brand and what quality they are buying; this problem is made more challenging by the fact that a lot of people in the building construction industry are illiterates.”

He said while manufacturers are mandated to comply with specifications of the standards, consumers themselves needed to play their own parts as is the case elsewhere in the world where consumers mandate standard.

According to him, Nigeria has three grades of cement with various degrees of strength which include: 32.5; 42.5 and 52.5 pointing out that the public is not even aware of the variety in grades, standards and specific applications of cement.

He said what most people are aware of brand names, whereas the grades are equally important. This ignorance he said has led to the misapplication of cement by many users, citing the point that some people for reasons of personal gain may utilize just one bag of cement for as much as 50 to 80 blocks rather than between 25 and 30 blocks.

“More surprisingly, many acclaimed experts in the sector are also not aware of these cement varieties and standards. This low level of awareness has contributed to the wide spate of building collapse, as well as avoidable hazards in the construction sector,” he said.

He explained that while the 32.5 grade is suitable for plastering, block making and light concrete activities while others (42.5 and 52.5) are suitable for heavy concretes, flyovers and marine constructions, among others.

“The point is if you use a grade meant for one aspect of construction for another aspect, there would be problem. And those are some of the areas we are devoting attention,” he said.

The 52.5 higher grade of cement was introduced into the market barley three weeks ago by Dangote Cement Plc.

Engr. Joseph Makoju, Honorary Adviser to the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, described the introduction of the new cement grade by the company as ground breaking, 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. It is good for lead bearing columns.”

He further noted that with this development, none should complain again about low quality cement in the country or make excuses to bring in imported cement into the country.

Devakumar Edwin added: “For the past three months we have test-run the new products and it is now available in the markets.   In the second half of this year, we are coming out with yet another new superior product.”