Dangote: Cement standardisation'll not lead to job losses

Dangote Cement Plc has faulted claims that that the recent review and grading of cement quality would lead to loss of jobs in the industry.

For the company, it is the opposite that will happen: it will create more job opportunities.

The Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement, Devakumar Edwin, explained that the quality review and the standardisation of cement by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) would lead to further creation of job as the classification gives room for engagement of more hands.

Edwin spoke in in Ibese at the award ceremony for the students offered scholarship by the cement manufacturer.

The leading cement manufacturers explained that the quality review and the standardisation of cement by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) would lead to further creation of job as the classification gives room for engagement of more hands.

Edwin's position came in the wake of protests and complaints by some other cement manufacturers and their employees who feared that switching over to the high quality cement grade would affect their profit and therefore inciting the members of the public to reject the new quality review on the pretext that it would lead to  loss job.

The Dangote Cement boss, who spoke in Lagos when a group of businessmen paid him a visit in his office at the weekend.

He said, “Gentlemen, let me tell you, the new cement quality review and trading would only create more jobs, guarantees confidence as the exercise properly positions the different types of cement we have and their uses. When you produce a quality product, you would need more hands than when you are churning out low quality and substandard that requires little or no effort.

“Let no one deceive you, all over the world, only quality cement is acceptable, Nigeria is no longer a dumping ground. SON has graded cement, all your building works should be done with 42.5 grade, 32.5 according to SON is meant for plastering only while 52.5 is for specialised construction like bridges, high rise building among others.”

The award ceremony, saw the jubilant students and their parents singing praises of Dangote Cement for the unprecedented gesture.