Dangote, Africa’s biggest cement manufacturer, took the stage at the biggest housing show in Africa with a plum last Thursday as it announced its plan to establish a block-making academy.
The academy is geared towards addressing incessant housing collapse in the country.
Besides,the block making academy which is meant for artisan is part of the company’s contribution towards addressing unemployment in the country.
The National Sales Director of Dangote Cement Mrs Funmi Sanni who disclosed the plan during the just concluded Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) in Abuja, said the rationale behind the company’s decision was the ageing of current block makers and the negligence shown to the trade by young people.
The academy, Sanni said, will also help check against quackery and impart artisans with the needed skills.
Mrs Sanni also noted the firm will support artisans with the tools needed to thrive in the profession.
Also, the company’s head of technical sales, Mr. Aniki Ayodeji revealed that the company already trains artisans in the right mix.
On his part, Festus Adebayo said the company can contribute to reducing the housing deficit in the country.
In his words, “If the Federal Government can partner with the Dangote Group in the area of road construction, why would it not partner with it to mitigate the housing deficit in the country?”
What you should know.
In 2022, Nigeria witnessed around 61 incidents of building collapse across the country. Lagos state was the epicentre accounting for 48% of all building collapses in the country.
In the past decade, Nigeria recorded around 271 cases of building collapse with 115 cases happening in Lagos alone.
Other cities in Nigeria where building collapses were common are Onitsha, Port-Harcourt, Kaduna, Kano, Ibadan, Abuja, etc.
Experts have enumerated factors responsible for the phenomenon including a lack of regulation and monitoring in the construction industry, faulty foundations, and building designs.
They also noted that the building environment, method of construction, and even use of the building can also lead to building collapse.
Currently, no fewer than 300 buildings have been earmarked for demolition in Lagos due to signs of distress.
Reacting to the Dangote planned Block Making Academy, Festus Adebayo, Executive Director, Housing Development Advocacy Network, HDAN said “it is the right step in the right direction; adding that Dangote Cement should be commended. They have been a great partner of African International Housing Show for the last five years.”
He also added, “We need Dangote Cement seriously for the country’s housing development sector. “
Adebayo also urged Dangote Cement to intervain in the area of social housing as a way of tackling housing deficit in the country.
He said, “In fact, we are calling on Dangote Cement industry to begin to do Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR haven done well in the area of social housing haven done well in the area of road construction as CSR.”
