BY VICTOR  AHIUMA-YOUNG
ORGANISED labour has called on the Federal Government to implement the standardisation of cement in the country with caution to avoid worsening the unemployment situation in the country

President of the Chemical and Non Metallic Products Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, CANMPSSAN, Abdul Gafar Mohammed, said the union hoped present standardisation agenda was not aimed at institutionalising monopoly in the industry, warning that labour would resist such move. He argued that cases of building collapse being experienced in parts of the country go beyond cement.

According to him: “There are about 27 types of cement that exist all over the world. Each type of cement supports different purpose. We have the following grades – 12.5, 22.5, 32.5, 42.5, 52.5, sulphate-resistant cement, oil well, white cement and others. None of the cement is inferior to others. No one size fits all.”

While insisting that labour as stakeholder in the industry would support any effort that would stop the incidence of building collapse, Mohammed said workers in the sector were prepared to partner with relevant government agencies to see that building collapse became a thing of the past.

He argued that loss of lives because of building collapse was not only disheartening but avoidable, explaining however that many reasons were responsible for building collapse. These according to him, include poor application, site corruption – stealing and compromises, soil test and lack of use of professionals on site.

The CANMPASSAN president noted that rather than pursue the agenda of forcing out the 32.5 grade out of the market, the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, must rigidly ensure that standards were met in the chain of the construction industry.

”Cocoa House in Ibadan was built with 32.5, so likewise the Federal Secretariat complex in Ikoyi, including all the construction works in Abuja in the early 90s. All these structures are still standing. We believe that the right application of all the materials will eliminate the incidence of building collapse. Besides, task force should be established comprising SON, government and professionals to track compliance.”