Lafarge Cement WAPCO, one of the leading cement manufacturers in Nigeria, has trained no fewer than 4,100 block makers under the auspices of National Association of Blocks Moulders of Nigeria on the intricacies and specifications of standard block moulding and concrete mixing as part of efforts targeted at preventing of incessant building collapse in the country.

Lafarge Cement WAPCO signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on human capacity development with the National Association of Blocks Moulders of Nigeria in conjunction with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria on standardisation of blocks moulding and concrete mixing, having observed the agonies of building collapse on Nigerians and nation’s economy.

Speaking at a block makers’ forum in Abeokuta organised by Lafarge Cement and National Association of Blocks Moulders of Nigeria, weekend, Adesoji Okesina, relationship manager, precast and block making segment, declared that by training and empowering block makers in the country Lafarge was setting the right pace that would guard against building collapse.

Okesina, who disclosed that the cement manufacturer aims to train 5,000 block makers before the end of the year, said Lafarge Cement was taking the blocks moulders through the rudiments and specifications of block moulding and concrete mixing, having observed the fundamental role the block makers play in building and construction industry.

“We discover that quite a number of block makers don’t understand the products that they use. They only base the attributes of products on hearsay and we also discover that going down to train and educate them will go a long way and help us push our products to the consumers.

“In trying to specify for them the type of materials needed in block making, we understand this will go a long in reducing building collapse. So, setting the right pace for the product will help them (block makers) guard against building collapse.

“Although, Lafarge gives the trainees head-pans, shovels, workman tools, generally here today, I need to say that the purpose is to ensure that the block moulders know the products they are using,” according to Okesina.

Earlier, Taoheed Omotosho, financial secretary, National Association of Blocks Moulders of Nigeria, said the group partnered Lafarge Cement and SON in the area of human capacity development to prevent building collapse, adding: “We give block makers lectures every time in conjunction with SON, Lafarge and other cement producers in that regard.

“Really, the training will go a long way in tackling building collapse, because if you follow all these lectures of block moulding; cement and sand mixing, you will gain a lot from them. I know this will reduce building collapse in some ways and in a way that would not affect our profits which will also be of benefit to everybody.”