Chairman of Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (CMAN), an arm of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Engineer Joseph Makoju, has clarified that the 42.5 cement grade has more superior efficacy over and above the 42.5 grade saying the recent cement standardization by the regulatory authority was in the interest of Nigerians and Nigeria.
The technocrat, who was a former managing director of Lafarge Cement WAPCO, who spoke during a television programme segment titled “Cement Standardization: Setting the Record Straight,” said there was need to clarify some issues regarding the standardization controversies.
The CMAN chairman, who stated that the cement issue had factionalized the membership of CMAN into two pointed out that there was no way the efficacy of a 42.5 grade can be compared to 32.5 and that claims that some sky scrapers and bridges built decades ago we’re built with 32.5 were incorrect.
“Many commentators on the issue of cement standardization are ignorant of the issues at stake, stakeholders particularly COREN at the House of Representatives hearing laid claim to certain facts which made me to intervene, especially on the issue of structures built with 42.5 cement grade but which are now being touted to have been built with 32.5 grade,” he said
He stated that while knowledge of application of cement is key, it will be grossly out of place to say cement is cement as some people have been arguing. “It’s like saying a 250 mg antibiotic capsule is the same as 500mg. Who does not know that 500mg is more efficacious with more strength”, Makoju maintained.
Makoju explained that there have been so many achievements recorded in the cement industry that should be celebrated but lamented that the unwarranted controversies on the standardization has taken the shine away. “More cement are being produced locally and we have moved the nation away from reliance on import and we even now export having met local consumption demand”
He debunked the insinuation that the new cement standardization by the regulatory authorities was meant to create a monopoly for a cement manufacturer like Dangote Cement which produces over 65% of total production of cement in Nigeria.
