Dangote Vows To Make Cement Cheapest Commodity In Nigeria

Largest producers of cement in Nigeria, Dangote Cement Plc, has vowed to make the staple construction material the cheapest commodity in the country.

Speaking at the unveiling of the 32.5 and 3 X cement yesterday in Lagos, the group managing director, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr Edwin Devakumar, said the company is working assiduously to increase cement production to 42 million tonnes from its factories across sub- Saharan Africa.

He said it was part of efforts to meet the aspiration of the consumers that made the company to crash cement price to N1,000, ex-factory price, and took further step to deliver the product to the dealer with its enhanced transportation system to reduce the retail price of cement in the country.

Devakumar said, “We have also drastically reduced the price of 42.5, which is our premium, to N1,150 per bag ex -factory, ex-VAT for the benefits to trickle down to the consumers. We have enough trucks to deliver cement at the door steps of dealers and consumers.”

He said the products would, henceforth, be delivered at the door steps of consumers in the South South, South East and South West at the rate of N100 per bag because of the proximity of their factories to these region, while they will charge N150 per bag in other parts of the country.

Devakumar added that its major priority is to ensure that the customers are protected in the distribution chain, assuring that it would put mechanism in place to monitor the sale of the product.

He said he is optimistic that reduction in the price of cement will increase per capital consumption of cement in the country which he noted is currently below its sister African countries.

Harping on the essence of adhering to on-going standardisation in the country, the company’s chief marketing officer, Mr Oare Ojiekere, emphasised that the 32.5 is meant for plastering only and lower in grade and quality compared to the 42.5 and 52. 5 cement grades.

He counseled the consumers to look at the grade and uses inscription at the bags of its cement before purchasing it saying there are grave consequences of using cement meant for plastering on casting and concrete work.

source: leadership.ng