Dangote Cement empowers block makers in Lagos, Ogun
Dangote Cement Plc says it has empowered block makers in Ogun and Lagos states with work tools as part of efforts aimed at making them to become more productive.
According to the firm, the block makers were given items such as wheel barrows, shovels, rain boots and hand gloves in Badagry and Ibeju areas of Lagos, and Agbara in Ogun State.
The Regional Manager, Marketing Services, Dangote Cement, Mr. Johnson Olaniyi, was quoted by a statement to have told the block makers that the gesture was one of the many incentives lined up by the company to help them boost their businesses.
He added that the donated items were to enable them attain the necessary standards necessary to ensure safety of buildings as well as curb the menace of sub-standard block making, which contributes to building collapse.
“Contrary to what some quacks are saying, cement block contributes to the safety and strength of a building hence the need to take great care in terms of the components used in moulding them,” he was quoted as saying.
Olaniyi added that the wheel barrows were meant to assist the block makers to get the right measurement and correct ratio in terms of cement, granite dust and sand, while the rain boots and hand gloves were for protective purposes.
He also advised the block makers to always sieve the sand they use in block making to remove all embedded debris, which could affect the strength of the blocks if retained, urging them to use water free from salt and oil contaminants to mould blocks.
According to the statement, Stephen Olarewaju who operates a block making factory lauded Dangote Cement for coming to their aid.
He was quoted to have said that it was a way of giving back to the block makers, who form a substantial portion of cement users.
According to him safety standards will improve because many block makers who are not using rain boots and hand gloves before now have them as gifts from Dangote Cement.
Another block maker, Alhaji Hodonu Sikiru, said the donation was a welcome development, which would help him and his colleagues.
He said a lot of the block moulders did not have wheel barrows, but just make assumptions when mixing sand and cement, adding that with the implement now in place, standards would improve.
