Dangote to set up Block Makers Academy to stem building collapse — As FG is urged to tackle housing deficit

Leading Cement Manufacturer, Dangote Cement in a concerted effort aimed at stemming the spate of building collapse in the country has put in place plans to establish Block Moulders Academy. The Academy according to the the company would be structured and equipped to support the seamless transfer of of requisite skills to block makers and artisans in the real estate sector of the economy. Speaking at the Dangote Special Day at the just concluded Africa International Housing Show in Abuja (AIHS), Dangote Cement National Sales Director, Mrs. Funmi Sanni said the Academy has become necessary as most of the artisans and block makers are aging, while the young men at not enthusiastic about the profession. She said one of the sure ways of reducing the phenomenon of building collapse is to check quackery, while imparting the needed skills to the block makers and artisans. According to her, the company was also ready to support the block makers who will pass through the Academy with machineries and tools. As part of the effort to ensure Cement availability Mrs Sanni said the Company has built over hundred Cement depots across the Country. Speaking earlier, Dangote Cement Group Head, Sales and Marketing, Mr Rabiu Umar said Dangote Cement had contributed enormously to development of the real estate sector through massive investment in Cement that has made the product sufficiently available. He identified rapid urbanisation, high cost of land acquisition, rising cost of Construction materials, lack of basic Infrastructure, Inaccurate housing demographic, poor funding, lack of access to affordable finance and inadequate policies as some of the factors affecting the provision of housing in Nigeria. He said “Towards helping to address housing shortages, Dangote Cement department whose focus is to attend to the challenges and needs of the real estate development in our market. The idea is to engage in project partnerships, collaborations and participation in Real Estate development initiative in Nigeria. Part of our efforts towards ameliorating the housing shortage is by Constructing large Cement plants in Nigeria and many African Countries. These plants will ensure that the basic raw material in the housing sector which is 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 deports near all major markets, therefore bridging the distance between the plants and distributors. The Company’s Head, Technical Sales, Mr Aniki Adeize Ayodeji said the Company currently trains the artisans on right mix. Meanwhile, the Federal Government has been urged to collaborate with Dangote Cement Plc to mitigate the housing deficit in Nigeria. Speaking on the sideline of the Housing Show, the Coordinator, Barrister Festus Adebayo appealed to the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote to intervene in the massive housing deficit bedevilling Nigeria. “If the Federal Government can partner with the Dangote Group in the area of road construction, why could 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, Barrister Adebayo said. He said it is apparent that government alone can not do it, he therefore advocated for a Public Private Partnership (PPP) . “I am aware of the long stretch of rigid pavement constructed by Dangote Group in Kogi through PPP. Same can be replicated in the housing sector, he said. He said Dangote is a Platinum Sponsor of the housing fair that brought together virtually all the big names in real estate development in Africa. He also bemoans the lack of data to Ascertain the housing deficit in the country. Mr Adebayo therefore urged the private sector to consider using housing as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility CSR. The Africa International Housing Show is Africa biggest housing and construction expo, a Forum that brings together all real estate stakeholders to discuss and explore ideas to promote Africa’s housing industry to the International market.