Dangote Cement, SON push for standard in block making

To curb the menace of building collapse across the country, block makers and artisans have been enjoined to adhere strictly to quality production and shun acts that could compromise standards in the sector.

The Assistant State Director, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Lillian Gua, gave the charge in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during a sensitisation workshop organised by Dangote Cement Plc, in collaboration with the regulatory organisation for the block makers and other artisans from Bayelsa and Rivers States.

According to Gua, block makers occupy a strategic position in the building industry, hence, the need to make quality their watchword.

Gua said there is a need for the building artisans to know the right mixtures in the production of blocks to achieve the expected quality.

While citing Dangote Cement as an example of a certified product, whose quality has been tested and found to be accurate, she enjoined participants to acquaint themselves with the steps and processes involved in getting a product certified so that they would not be deceived into buying fake products.

She disclosed that every certified product is issued a certificate of standard as proof of having gone through the quality test conducted by the SON.

Gua lauded Dangote Cement for organising the workshop, adding that such a forum will keep the manufacturers abreast of developments, especially, as it affects the quality and standard of products.

The Technical Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Adeiza Aniki, said the workshop was designed to update and refresh block makers, and artisans on the standard and quality of blocks.

He explained that Dangote Cement sees the participants as a critical force in the cement value chain and has, therefore, made the workshop a periodic exercise to get feedback from the market and help in meeting the demands of customers at all times.

Aniki urged participants to contribute to the efforts at mitigating the collapse of structures in the country. According to him, one of the ways they can do that is through adherence to quality and exposing bad eggs in the business.

He assured them that they could rely on Dangote Cement in the block making process.

“Check for excess amounts of dust in cement, which is called a float test. To do this, put a small quantity of cement in a bucket of water. If the cement floats on the water for some time before it sinks, the cement is of good quality. If the cement sinks immediately it touches the water, the cement is bad quality cement,” he said.

The technical director added: “Rub the cement between the fingers and if it gives a smooth feeling, the cement is of good quality; but if it feels gritty or rough, it means other substances have been added. This is a sign of bad quality cement.”