Cement: The public now knows better

Is the ongoing debate on the categorization of cement really unnecessary? Some may think so but the debate has been able to create public awareness about cement standards. Our reporter writes that deep knowledge about this product was almost non-existent as many consumers see cement as cement. To them, when cement expires is only when it thickens.

The recent controversy on classes of cement was obviously necessary. It assisted to deepen knowledge and created awareness among Nigerians including builders and block makers on quality and types of cement. This is because cement, just like salt fall in to the category of products that most consumers buy without thorough examination. They believe that cement is cement.

But the debate among stakeholders and coalition groups created some consciousness and jolted the thinking of builders and intended house owners on the type of cement they have been using or intend to use. To them, cement may no more mean cement, especially as Standards Organisation of Nigerian (SON) in conjunction with some stakeholders and industry players came up with cement categorization.

There are three types of cement in Nigeria, but two of them are popular. The 52.5 which is the highest grade type of cement, 42.5 and the least is the 32.5 grade. The last two types are the popular ones. The 52.5 is now categorized for specialized structures such as bridges, flyovers and high rise buildings, the 42.5 grade is for general construction purpose while the 32.5 is categorized for plastering. The SON has gone ahead to give each grade colour code for easy identification by consumers.

To many, the categorization of cement is to bring sanity in building construction.  This has become important in the face of building collapses, partly due to cement. According to Joseph Odumodu, the DG of SON, building collapse was rare during the period of large scale importation of cement in Nigeria when the 42.5 grade type of cement was the major type of cement imported.

In his address to National Assembly members recently, Odumodu said presently, using 32.5 type of cement for work that requires 42.5 cement grade will amount to inappropriate application, especially when the respective properties of both cement types are considered. “From available literature, it is evident that the 42.5 grade can perform the function of 32.5 grade of cement and beyond”. They go for the same price.

Odumodu told the Assembly members that the public is ignorant of the varying standards and specific applications of cement. “This is contrary to what is obtainable in other countries where the users are conversant with such standards”

He believed that the enforcement of relevant standards on the materials for building construction and restriction of the use of some will go a long way in mitigating any potential deleterious consequences.

Akon Eyakenyi, the minister of Lands, housing and urban development said in Lagos recently that Nigeria has many cases of building, roads and drainages collapses. “In fact the government and every-right thinking person must feel pained at these tragedies that are one too many”

She said the bridges, drainages, roads and houses collapse the way they do in Nigeria mostly because the materials used are not of the right quality or because appropriate professionals are not engaged either in design, structure or construction. Nations are making progress by putting standards and ensuring that players follow the standards.

With the categorization of cement, she said the government is resolved to bring sanity to bear in the nation’s construction sector. “We can no longer watch and see previous lives go down the drain because of failed buildings”

The chairman of Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (CMAN), an arm of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Joseph Makoju has equally clarified that the 42.5 cement grade has more superior efficacy over the 32.5 cement type saying the recent cement standardisation by the regulatory authority was in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.

Dangote Cement, a foremost manufacturer of 42.5 type of cement in Nigeria, has welcomed the categorization of the cement by Technical Committee set up by SON. The company described it as a “bold step towards attaining the highest level of safety in building and construction in the country. The company therefore urges SON to immediately begin the enforcement of the new classification and its uses to rid the nation of substandard cement and the attendant incidence of structure failures”.

At a press conference recently, Ekanem Etim, Dangote Cement director, noted in a report that the “review and classification were coming rather too late after the nation and its citizens had been subjected to harrowing experiences of loss of lives and property, adding that SON should spare no further time to enforce the implementation of the new standard”.

A situation of lack of laws or lack of their implementation is what gives rise to why international media describe Nigeria as ‘chaotic’. Other serious countries have their laws and standards and these must be obeyed irrespective of person or firm.

The worry over cement types especially when their prices are the same, is weighty and must not be overlooked. This is important in a country like Nigeria, a fast developing country with civil works going on. “Ultimately, any failure of a major construction component such as cement due to compromised standard can as always only result in tragic loss of invaluable human lives, and properties which we can ill afford”, a report said.

While the categorization is crucial at this time of Nigeria’s live and while it is significant to clearly and boldly mark cement bags according to their categorization, it is also important for the authorities to ensure that each category of cement is not in short supply to meet consumers demand. In addition, continuous sensitization of the public on cement types and uses must continuously be implemented by the authorities. The sector should embrace this instead of making moves to truncate it.