Empowerment: Dangote trains block moulders, donates work tools

…As SON commends company over training

Dangote Cement last week in Asaba, Delta State, donated work tools including wheel barrows, shovels, rainboots and hand gloves to block moulders in the state. The donation was part of a workshop designed to train block moulders in the state as well as empower them to adopt current best practices in the industry.

Aliko Dangote

Coordinator, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Edo & Delta States, Mr. Ojo Akogu who delivered the keynote paper at the workshop commended Dangote Cement for its support and collaboration in training artisans and block moulders. He stated that the efforts of the cement company in training block moulders will have a far reaching impact on participants.

According to him, “SON is thrilled and excited that the workshop for block moulders by Dangote Cement came up. The workshop is to enlighten and educate block moulders. Dangote Cement is creating awareness at the grassroots of the building industry through educating block moulders”.

A participant and manager, Larfenax Nigeria Enterprises Asaba, Godwin Muoneke described the workshop as eye opening. He said, ‘the idea of coming up with the workshop is commendable. It has broadened our knowledge and understanding in the use of cement especially in block making. We have been educated.’

Making the presentations to the block moulders, the Regional Manager, Marketing Services of Dangote Cement, Johnson Olaniyi, told them that the gesture is one of the many incentives lined up by the foremost indigenous cement giant to help them boost their business.

According to him, the donated items are to enable the block moulders attain the necessary standards in their which he said is necessary to ensure safety of buildings as well as curb the menace of sub-standard blocks which contribute to building collapse.

He said contrary to what some quacks are saying, cement block contribute to the safety and strengthen of a building hence the need to take great care in terms of the components used in moulding them.

Specifically, he explained that the wheel barrows are meant to assist the block makers in ensuring that they get the right measurements and correct ratio in terms of cement, granite dust and sand while the rainboots and hand gloves are for protective purposes.

He advised the block makers to always to sieve the sand they use in block making as to remove all embedded debris which would affect the strength of the blocks if retained. He also asked them to use water free from salt and oil contaminants while making blocks.

Mr. Olaniyi highlighting the advantages of Dangote 3X Cement and other brands in the market said “The 3x is an acronym for more profit to the moulders while allowing the builders to build with peace of mind”.

Olaniyi also informed the block makers of several benefits that they stand to gain by using only Dangote Cement in their businesses. He also assured the block makers that Dangote Cement is putting in place adequate checks and measures to prevent adulteration of the product.

The elated block moulders were full of praises and appreciation for the items which they said will enhance productivity and standardization of their products.

Uju Ifeze, a female operator who operates a block making factory lauded Dangote Cement for coming to their aid. She said it is a good development that Dangote Cement is giving back to block moulders who form a substantial portion of cement users. According to her, safety standards will improve because many block makers who are not using rainboots and hand gloves in their work before now have them as gifts from Dangote Cement.

For Kene Okoro, ‘it is a welcome development which will help moulders a lot. He said a lot of moulders do not have wheel barrows, they just make assumptions while mixing sand and cement but with the wheel barrows in place, standards will improve and business will improve.’

He commended Dangote Cement for thinking of its customers’ business because standardization will lead to more profit.