AFRICA, Nigeria: Manufacturers Seek Code of Conduct Review On Cement

Nigeria: Manufacturers Seek Code of Conduct Review On Cement

The Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has called for a review of the industry's code of standards to enable it the take into consideration the peculiarity of the local environment.

The CMAN Chairman, Mr. Joseph Makoju, made the call in Abuja at a forum on concrete specifications, application and cement standards. The forum, which had key stakeholders from the cement industry, was organised to ensure best practices in the application of concrete designs.

Speaking at the event, Makoju, who was represented by the Vice Chairman, CMAN, Mr. Jean-Christopher Barbant, said the current codes, when reviewed would ensure uniformity in applications.

He stated that while many engineering designers and consultants in Nigeria base their concrete design and specification on the British Code of Practice and other international standards, there is need for the country to develop one that would take adequate consideration of local factors

He said: "All over the world, particularly in advanced countries, regulatory authorities and practitioners in the building and construction industry develop standards and codes to guide construction professionals in effective specification of concrete grades and selection of cement types; thus ensuring some degree of uniformity in their applications of concretes in their countries

"Such standards and codes take adequate consideration of local factors such as environmental peculiarities, level of economic development, literacy level, and climate conditions.

"Such specifications and codes are then updated as required in the light of technological advancement and new realities. Nigeria is no exception to this general practice as regulatory bodies have also made efforts towards achieving these goals.

He added: "However, challenges remain as evident by the realities on ground in terms of practice and enforcement. We need to have our own relevant concrete code of practices and standards revised taking local conditions into consideration. It is also very important that our codes are robust and standards are robust, practical and uniformly and consistently applied in practice."

He expressed optimism that given the number of ongoing projects in the industry as well as backward integration policy of the federal government, the industry's installed capacity would rise to 40 million tonnes by 2015.

Also speaking at the event, the Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, said the issue of quality had been a major challenge facing the regulatory agencies.

For instance, he said 32 trucks loaded with cement not registered in Nigeria, coming from Benin Republic were recently prevented from entering the shores of Nigeria. He added that the federal government should continue do all within its powers to protect the industry from sub-standard products.