The Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria on Wednesday called for a review of the industry’s code of standards to take into consideration the peculiarity of the local operating environment.
The Chairman, CMAN, 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 in attendance, 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 said that while many engineering designers and consultants in Nigeria based their concrete designs and specifications on the British Code of Practice and other international standards, there was the need for the country to develop one that would take adequate consideration of local factors.
The factors, according to him, are environmental peculiarities, level of economic development, literacy level and climatic conditions.
Makoju 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 application of concrete 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 advancements 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 codes of practice 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.”
The CMAN chairman expressed optimism that given the number of ongoing projects in the industry as well as the backward integration policy of the Federal Government, the industry’s installed capacity would rise to 40 million metric 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 but coming from Benin Republic on Tuesday were prevented from entering the country.
He added that the Federal Government would continue do all within its powers to protect the industry from sub-standard products.
