Dangote Cement Plc has decried the prevalence of substandard blocks, explaining that some block makers do not use the right blend of cement and sand in an attempt to maximise profit, thus causing defects in structures. This, according to the Group Executive Director, Sales and Marketing, Dangote Cement, Mr. Knut Ulvmoen, is the major cause of building collapse in the country. Advising the block makers not to cut corners, he said Dangote Cement would continue to support its stakeholders.

Ulvmoen, who spoke at a one-day sensitisation workshop in Abuja for block makers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environs, assured that Dangote Cement would continue to stabilise the price of cement without compromising on quality to create value for stakeholders in the building industry, especially block moulders.

The forum was put together by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and sponsored by Dangote Cement.

In his paper, Director-General of SON, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, said the Federal Government’s transformation agenda coupled with SON’s policy of zero tolerance on substandard products, underlined the need to sensitise block moulders to operate in conformity with the national standard. Odumodu, who was represented by Mr. Nelson Adebiyi, Regional Coordinator of SON, commended Dangote Cement for its interest in supporting efforts towards ensuring quality in the building industry.

The block makers praised Dangote Cement for the workshop and called on other cement manufacturers to emulate the good gestures and help them to do well in their business. Dangote Cement organises periodic technical training to block makers to build their capacity.

•Photo shows Group Executive Director, Sales and Marketing, Dangote Cement, Mr. Knut Ulvmoen.