As the debate over the quality of cement produced in the country rages, leading manufacturers, Dangote Cement Plc, on Monday launched yet another higher grade- the 52.5N into the Nigerian market.

Group Managing Director of the company, Devakumar Edwin told newsmen in Lagos at a media parley that Dangote Cement has commenced the production of the new grade from all of its three plants in Ibese, Ogun State, Gboko, Benue State, and Obajana in Kogi State.

The 52.5 grade, the company said, is being produced in Africa for the first time, attesting to the group’s resolve to remain a leading international producer of the product.

Already, Edwin disclosed that the new cement grade, which has been certified by the Standard Organisation (SON), as conforming to the requirements of NIS 444-2003 and other relevant standards, would sell for the same amount as the lower grade 42.5N type.

He said although it costs more to produce the 52.5 grade, Dangote Cement decided to sell at the same price in the interest of its customers, so as to make it affordable to all.

He explained that the new cement grade could be used for all construction purposes, but that it is best for any civil construction with bearing colum.

Edwin stated that though Dangote Cement was also the first to produce the 42.5N grade earlier at a time competitors were churning out 32.5 grade, the desire to constantly research into how to improve product quality necessitated the new cement grade.

The Dangote Cement boss reasoned that with the higher grade of cement quality, the incidence of building collapse could be controlled.

Contributing, Joseph Makoju, Honorary Adviser to the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, described the introduction of the new cement as ground breaking, saying Nigeria is now one of the best quality producers of cement in the world.

“No matter the sophistication of the structure, this is the best grade for any civil construction. Dangote did not create the standard. The standard has been there, we have only blazed the trail by starting its production. Its’ good for lead bearing columns”, Makoju explained.