Building collapse: NYP endorses Dangote 42.5 cement

For bringing innovation in the domestic economy through the introduction of the 42.2 3X(R) cement, members of the Nigerian Youth Parliament (NYP) have commended the management of Dangote Cement Plc.

The NYP group led by Umar Etudaye, was last week at the corporate head office of Dangote Industries Ltd, Ikoyi, Lagos, to commend the firm for its various efforts at fighting building collapse menace in the country. The youths also conferred their centenary leadership award of excellence on the Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement, DVG Edwin.
Etudaye in his response, commended the management of Dangote Cement led by Edwin for introducing the 42.5 3X cement, which was aimed at eliminating the high incidence of building collapse in Nigeria. He said the new product is a proof of the resilience of Dangote Cement to always break new grounds while growing the economy with innovations.
He said, “the award is in recognition of your immense contributions to economic development, distinctive strides in the area of nation building, construction and infrastructural quality assurance in the Pan-African cement company.”
He specifically lauded the President/Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Ltd, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, for leading the initiative to make Nigeria self-sufficient in production of cement thereby ending importation of the crucial building material.
In his appreciation, Edwin said he feels deeply honoured by the award. He commended the NYP for the honour and recognition given to the firm. He noted that it is heartwarming that youths are working together to correct societal ills including juvenile delinquency. He charged the NYP to exert more efforts towards building right characters in the youths, adding that if bodies and organisations like the NYP work together to mentor and give youths good direction, Nigeria’s future would be bright.
Dangote Cement produces the 42.5 cement grade from its three factories in Obajana, Kogi State, Gboko, Benue State and Ibese, Ogun State. “The grinding of the grade is better, smoother, which makes it to expel pockets of air therefore preventing cracks in pillars, beams and other areas where it is used,” he said.
As part of efforts towards eliminating the menace of building collapse, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) embarked on the standardisation of the basic inputs in building and construction like iron and steel, roofing materials.
Having completed standardisation in other areas, the agency set out to review cement standard and therefore adopted a holistic approach to ensure that standards are maintained in all spheres of the building process.
“Following widespread protests over rampant building collapse, the regulatory agency took the commendable step of immediate response to review cement standards in the country. The technical committee of SON consulted widely with stakeholders from all sectors including the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), COREN, universities, researchers, builders, block makers, among others, towards fashioning a suitable cement standard regime.
“The stakeholders agreed to streamline cement types, with 42.5 cement for general purposes while 32.5 will now be restricted to plastering work. SON’s effort at reviewing cement type standard is commendable as it will restore sanity to the system,” the agency noted.