LASBCA SEEKS BETTER COLLABORATION WITH CEMENT MANUFACTURERS FOR SAFER, SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT

… Advocates Proper Labelling of Cement Bags

The General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Arc. Gbolahan Owodunni Oki has called on manufacturers of cement in Nigeria to properly label their products for ease of application by users.

He made the call during a courtesy visit to the management of Lafarge Africa at their Corporate Head Office in Ikoyi. Lagos.

The management team from LASBCA, was received by the management of Lafarge Africa led by the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Lolu Alade Akinyemi.

The General Manager disclosed that the purpose of the visit was to seek better collaboration between the two organisations in achieving a safer and sustainable environment devoid of building collapses as a result of the use of inferior building materials.

He noted that cement is a major component in building construction and the producers of this component need to properly educate the users on the best way to apply the product for optimal results that will bring about reductions in building collapses.

Oki advised the manufacturers of cement to enlighten and educate the users, especially block makers, by boldly writing or illustrating the number of blocks that a 50 kg bag of cement can produce. He said such illustrations boldly written on every bag of cement will serve as a guide for block makers in producing quality blocks that can stand the test of time.

According to him, “To prevent the use of substandard blocks, we need to work together to educate and enlighten the teeming masses, especially block makers on the best applications of your product. I strongly advised that the number of blocks that a 50kg bag of cement can produce should be boldly written or illustrated on every bag as a guide to users of your product”.

He disclosed further that his office is working out a mechanism to randomly test every block being produced in the state for a safer environment.

He also used the visit to call on the company to assist the government in enlightening block makers not to hide under the guise of the harsh economy or increase in the prices of cement to reduce the quality of blocks being sold to the building public.

In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge Africa, Mr. Lolu Alade Akinyemi thanked the General Manager for his advice and promised the readiness of the company to always work with the State Government in bringing about a safe, secure and sustainable environment.

Mr. Akande said the company has always been at the forefront of educating and enlightening users of cement on the best way to apply the product for optimal results.