Lawmakers conducting a Public Hearing on the composition and pigmentation of cement have expressed their worry over the continuing production of low-grade and substandard cement in the country.

The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on the composition and pigmentation of cement in the country led by its chairman Hon. Yakubu Dogara opened a Public Hearing yesterday aimed at addressing the phenomenon of collapsed buildings in the country.

Speaking, the Committee chairman reasoned why Nigeria should continue to produce low-grade 32.5 cement while the rest of the world including India and China are producing 42.5 grade.

In his opening remarks, Hon. Dogara said: “There is no gainsaying the fact that the serial incidence of building collapse in the country has become a source of anxiety.

“Some have blamed substandard material including cement, while others have blamed it (collapse building) on lack of regulatory framework.”

Contributing, President of the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigerian, Engr. Joseph Makoju, said the 42.5 grade cement is superior to the 32.5 grade and that Nigeria used to produce and import 42.5 before the coming of the 32.5 grade.

Contributing, Hon. Ayi Essien, a member of the Ad hoc Committee, said Nigerians are worried about the quality of cement as well as the professional administration of the cement in construction work.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, had said while declaring the Hearing open that Nigeria would not relent in its efforts to unravel the causes of collapsed buildings in the country.

News Express reports that Dangote Cement Plc is the only cement manufacturer in the country presently producing 42.5R, higher grade in line with the specification and requirement of Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON).

As reported last night by News Express, the federal government has approved new cement standards in the country based on the recommendation of the Technical Committee set by the Governing Board of SON in the wake of cement quality debate by the stakeholders. The new standards are as follows:

•CEM I 52.5R and 52.5N for use in the construction of bridges;

•CEM II 42.5R, 42.5N for use in the casting of columns, beams, slabs, block moulding.

•CEM I & II 32.5R, 32.5N for plastering of buildings only.

•Photo shows House of Reps Speaker, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal.