Nigeria: Final approval for a new national cement standard has been given by Olusegun Aganga at the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. Following a short grace period all cement manufactured locally or imported must meet the approved standards and will be tagged 'NlS 444-1'. The implementation of a new standard for cement follows a battle between cement industry stakeholders regarding whether poor quality cement had been to blame for building collapses.
The highest grade - CEM I 52.5R, 52.5N, or 52.5 - will now be used for the construction of bridges. The second highest grade - CEM II 42.5R, 42.5N or 42.5 grade – will be used for the casting of columns, beams, slabs and for block moulding. The lowest cement grade - CEM I & II 32.5R, 32.5N or 32.5 cement grade – will be used only for the plastering of buildings.
According to the ministry, the new guidelines would, "Enable the end users make the right choice; help to avoid unethical application of the different types of cement; enhance proper identification of the different cement classes and enhance traceability as well as guide users." The ministry added that the standards were reviewed because they had attained the five-year mandatory period for review, as well as concerns over the quality of cement in the Nigerian markets.
