10th June, 2014
Dangote Cement Plc on Tuesday 10 June said that the type of sand used in mixing cement to mould blocks was a major challenge in the industry.
Johnson Olaniyi, Dangote Cement Plc Regional Manager, Marketing Services, told NAN in Lagos that the company discovered this while training block moulders nationwide.
According to him, the type of sand used affected the quality of blocks moulded for building houses, as well as those on display for people to buy.
“We discovered that the type of sand used by moulders determines the quality of blocks being moulded.
“This is very challenging because there are good, fairly good and bad sand in different locations.
“Unfortunately, majority of those involved in block moulding feel that they do not need training on their job,” he said.
He said that block moulders needed to be trained on the best way to use cement, to make quality blocks.
Olaniyi said that controlling and organising this segment of the industry would help to verify the quality of cement being produced in the country.
He noted that building collapse is often attributed to the quality of concrete works and blocks used.
Olaniyi noted that people had always insinuated that cement manufacturers produced substandard cement, while the fault was actually on how those using the cement applied it.
He explained that most people did not know that, apart from the quality of sand, the type of water used in mixing cement for concrete works or block moulding could also reduce its strength.
The manager added that this was the reason block moulders, masons, builders, homeowners, contractors and developers were always advised to use only drinking water in mixing cement.
He added that this would ensure the best results in the moulding of blocks and concrete works.