Nigeria: Ashaka Cement plc has come out against the Nigerian government's plan to ban the production of 32.5 grade cement in Nigeria. The Chairman of Ashaka Cement, Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga, said that rather than ban 32.5 grade cement, it should be produced alongside 42.5 grade cement. This would not only provide consumers with the freedom of choice, but also assist in securing jobs that have already been created through the production of 32.5 grade cement.

There had been arguments that the use of the 32.5 grade cement in the construction sector was a major reason for the increase in building collapse, which resulted in the formation of a technical committee to review cement standardisation by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

"Cement is not responsible for building collapses in Nigeria," said Kwairanga." So much research has already been done and we have seen that building collapse is more related to issues other than the cement itself. It's either from the professionals or consultants that are handling the building jobs, who have not followed the specifications."

Kwairanga added that Ashaka Cement has approved plans to expand its operation with a US$606m investment in cement production in Gombe. The amount would increase the cement production capacity of the company to 2.5Mt/yr. Barring any last minute change, the ground breaking ceremony for the project will be performed by the Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan in early April 2014.

Kwairanga said, "We are taking our US$606m investment to the north-eastern state of Gombe. The total value of setting up the 2.5Mt/yr cement plant and a power plant is US$705m.