The decision was influenced by the country’s threat of building collapse, according to Africa’s top cement manufacturer.
Mrs. Funmi Sanni, Dangote Cement’s National Sales Director, dropped the clue at the Dangote Special Day at the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) in Abuja.
She explained that the decision was made because most of the artisans and block makers are getting older, and young men aren’t interested in the trade.
She also stated that one of the sure methods to reduce the issue of building collapse was to check quackery while teaching the necessary skills to blockmakers and craftspeople.
According to her, the company is also ready to provide machinery and tools to the blockmakers who will graduate from the academy.
Sanni stated that as part of the effort to secure cement availability, the company has erected over a hundred cement depots across the country.
Mr. Rabiu Umar, Head of Sales and Marketing at Dangote Cement Group, previously stated that the company has made significant contributions to the development of the real estate sector.
“Over twenty years ago, we were importing cement; today, we are exporting cement,” Umar said.
In addition, he noted some of the variables influencing affordable housing provision in Nigeria, such as growing urbanisation and rising construction material costs.
“Towards helping to address housing shortages, Dangote Cement set up a department whose focus is to attend to the challenges and needs of real estate development in our market.
“The idea is to engage in project partnerships, collaborations, and participation in Real Estate development initiatives in Nigeria.
“Part of our efforts toward ameliorating the housing shortage is by constructing large cement plants in Nigeria and many African countries.
“These plants ensure that the basic raw material in the housing sector, cement, is readily available in sufficient quantities.
“We have a dedicated fleet of trucks to deliver both bagged and bulk cement to customers and construction sites.
‘’We have established depots near all major markets, therefore bridging the distance between the plants and distributors.’’
The company’s Head, Technical Sales, Mr Aniki Ayodeji, said the company currently trains artisans on the right mix.
Speaking on the sideline of the AIHS, Festus Adebayo appealed to the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, to intervene in the massive housing deficit bedeviling Nigeria.
“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?
“People tend to take housing for granted but it is one of the primary needs of man that can affect our life and health, and the stability of a nation,” Adebayo said.
NAN(www.nannews.ng)