Nigeria’s SON starts cement standards enforcement

Concerned by the high rate of building collapse across Nigeria in recent times, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)  held a zonal stakeholders' forum on blocks and allied products in southwestern states to begin implementation of the cement standardisation and reclassification scheme. This follows a directive of the Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment (FMITI) to immediately commence the full enforcement of the policy across all segments of the cement and allied products sector.

The initiative started with the official unveiling of the new packaging and labelling model for the three different classes of cement in the nation's market, with clear labelling and colour coding to help stakeholders easily distinguish between the lower 32.5 cement grade and the higher 42.5 and 52.5 grades to prevent misuse.

Opening the implementation of the cement standardisation scheme, the Minister of States for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Samuel Ortom, supported the move by SON to firm up the regulatory frame work for building materials in the country, including cement and its allied products.

He also endorsed the decision to contrive the new cement packaging and labelling in line with the recently-approved Nigeria Industrial Standard for Cement, stressing that these steps will go a long way to enhance the safety of the construction industry.