By Chibisi Ohakah
Abuja
Dangote Cement Plc has expressed support for the new Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) classification of cement and its uses. The foremost cement manufacturers also said it has complied with the grading of the product and adapted to the specifications rolled out by the regulatory authorities.
The SON in the wake of the building collapses across the country and the attendant controversies on the quality of cement being produced in the country summoned the meeting of stakeholders in the building and construction industry.
The meeting reviewed the standards of quality of cement, and thereafter classified cement types and their appropriate uses as a means of stemming the suspected misapplication of the product.
Henceforth, SON restricts the use of the 32.5 grade strength to plastering of structures only, while 42.5 grade is recommended for the construction of buildings, beams, load bearing columns, pillars, block moulding and other structures, while the 52.5 recommended for the construction bigger projects like bridges, flyovers, and high rise buildings.
Addressing a group of Kenyan business men who visited the Ibese cement plant of the company at the weekend, the group managing director of the Dangote Cement Plc, Devakumar Edwin, said the classification is designed to help stem the tide of collapse building in Nigeria.
“After 28 days, the 32.5 grade gives strength of 32.5MPA, whereas the 42.5 grade gives a curing of 42.5MPA i.e 30% higher in strength. China, the number one producer of cement in the world is phasing out the entire 32.5 grade by July. India, the second largest producer of cement phased out 32.5 grade cement 12 years back,” he added.
According to him, the phenomenon of collapse building increased astronomically as from 2004 when other manufacturers downgraded their quality to 32.5MPA. It is estimated that from 1974 to 2010, collapse building had claimed 297 lives.
Worried by the continuing use of the low grade cement, the Standard Organization of Nigeria(SON) penultimate week issued a directive that 52.5R be used for bridges, 42.5R should be used for casting of columns, beams, slabs and making blocks, while the low grade 32.5MPA was restricted to plastering.
