Dangote Cement plc, a member of the Dangote Industries, has received the adorsement of members of the Nigerian Youth Parliament (NYP) in Lagos, who commended the management of Dangote Cement for the introduction of its 42.2 3X(R) cement, they described as an innovation in the domestic economy.
Members of the NYP, led by Umar Etudaye, were at the corporate headquarters of Dangote Industries Limite, Ikoyi, Lagos, to confer their centenary leadership award of excellence on DVG Edwin, the group managing director of Dangote Cement.
Etudaye in his speech commended the management of Dangote Cement led by DVG Edwin for the innovation of the 42.5 3X cement, which was introduced to eliminate the high incidence of building collapse in Nigeria. The new product is a proof of the resilience of Dangote Cement to have 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 stride in the area of nation building, construction and infrastructural quality assurance in the pan-African cement company,” he said.
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He specifically commended Aliko Dangote, the president/chief executive of Dangote Industries, for leading the initiative to make Nigeria self-sufficient in production of cement, ending importation of the crucial building material.
Responding, Edwin said “he feels deeply honoured by the award,” and commended the NYP for the honour and recognition given to Dangote Industries. It is heartwarming that youths are working together to correct societal ills, including juvenile delinquency, he said, and charged them to exert more effort to build the right character in the youths. He said that bodies and organisations like the NYP working to mentor and give youths good direction, Nigeria’s future looks 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.
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. It 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, 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.
OSA VICTOR OBAYAGBONA
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