Worried by the growing building collapse in Nigeria, the federal government yesterday gave October 1, 2014 ultimatum for strict compliance on new cement standards.
With the new directive, local cement manufacturers are expected to comply with the new standard of 32.2 cement grade in yellow bag, meant only for plastering; the 42.5 grade in green bag will be for block making while 52.5 grade in red bag will be used for bridges and special projects.
Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr Joseph Odumodu, who read the riot act yesterday in Lagos at the zonal stakeholders forum on Sandcrete warned that, at the expiration of the deadline, SON would not have any other option but to raid different markets to enforce compliance.
‘Today, we want to let you know that government is ready to enforce the new cement standards to stem the tide of building collapse in the country. I urge all the stakeholders in the construction sector to comply with this directive to avoid government’s wrath”, he warned.
The new cement standards, according to Odumodu, must carry batch number, colour grades, expiry date as well as trademarks.
In the same vein, he urged block makers to stamp trademarks on their blocks for easy identification.
Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Chief Samuel Ortom also said government’s zero-tolerance for substandard products is still in force, stressing that standard must be complied to avoid incessant building collapse in the country.
Ortom reiterated government concerns over building collapse in Nigeria caused by the use of substandard building materials.
With the theme “Safeguarding Lives through Compliance to Standards” the stakeholders at the forum noted with dismay that Nigeria has been noted for standards in building constructions and collapses, which is not a good commentary in and outside the country.
