Cement quality
Dangote Cement has made the news for various reasons over the weekend. First, in a row in Nigeria over cement quality, Dangote Cement’s Chief Executive Officer Mr DVG Edwin, chimed in to say that Dangote Cement produces a minimum of 42.5 grade cement at all its plants. A coalition of civil society groups and professional bodies in the construction industry threatened to lead a protest against manufacturers and importers of 32.5 grade cement, which has been blamed for a string of buildings collapsing. Though some cement manufacturers have argued that the problem is not the cement, but the poor quality construction practices used, Mr Edwin said that the best way to ensure safety in the construction industry was to insist on 42.5 grade cement. Responding to complaints that this higher grade would erode profit margins, Mr Edwin said that ‘human lives are more important than profits’ and encouraged manufacturers to think of it as an act of patriotism to help prevent further building collapses.
New opportunities in Liberia
Elsewhere in Africa, Aliko Dangote visited the President of Liberia to discuss ongoing arrangements for a cement plant, which is shortly due to commence construction in the country, as well as plans for a coal-fired power plant. The cement plant is due to be located on seven acres of land at the Freeport of Monrovia. As limestone is not produced in Liberia, it will need to be brought in to manufacture cement locally. The proposed power plant would produce 20 MW of power, of which 1.2 MW will be required for the cement plant with the remainder to be sold to the government. The power plant could be operational within 15 months, but a location has not yet been decided upon and its construction has not yet been agreed by the government, though the President reportedly invited Mr Dangote to send his engineers to study the feasibility of the project. Such a plant would require 30 acres of land and plentiful access to water.
New appointments
Finally, Dangote Cement Plc has appointed Mr Emmanuel Ikazoboh and Ernest Ebi to the board as non-Executive Directors. Mr Ikazoboh is a former Administrator of The Nigerian Stock Exchange and Chairman/CEO of Deloitte, West and Central Africa. Mr Ebi previously worked with The Central Bank of Nigeria (Abuja) as Deputy Governor, Policy.
Edited from various sources by Katherine Guenioui