Block Moulders Call for Cost Relief as SON Sensitizes Members on Standard Production in Ebonyi
Nkechinyere Ewa
The Chairman of Block Moulders Association in Ebonyi State, Nicholas Nomeh, has called on the Federal Government to reduce taxes on cement manufacturers in order to ease the rising cost of cement and building materials across the country.
Nomeh said the increasing cost of cement has forced many property owners to abandon construction sites, thereby worsening the housing deficit in Ebonyi State.
He spoke with journalists on Thursday in Abakaliki during a sensitization programme organized for block moulders by the cooperate affairs commission CAC, standard organization of Nigeria SON, in collaboration with private cement companies.
The programme focused on best practices in cement and block production, quality assurance standards, and the need for block moulders to obtain the appropriate licensing and certification required to operate legally and qualify for government contracts.
Nomeh said the engagement was important to align local producers with national standards and improve the quality of building materials in the state.
According to him, the sensitization was necessary because many operators in the sector are yet to meet regulatory requirements.
“Presently, none of the block moulders in the state have the manpower certificates, and it is a shameful thing. That is why we organized this sensitization workshop so that we can meet up with the standards required by the Federal Government,” he said.
Nomeh also emphasized the importance of quality control in block production, noting that adherence to standards would help reduce building failures in the country.
He explained that proper production methods must be followed to ensure durability and consistency in output, while urging members to embrace certification processes.
On the rising cost of cement, Nomeh described the situation as critical, saying many builders have abandoned projects due to high prices.
“Dangote cement is almost N12,000 now. Many builders have left their sites, and block moulders are finding it very difficult to sustain their families,” he lamented.
He appealed to government to consider reducing taxes on cement manufacturers, arguing that it would help lower the price of cement and ultimately reduce construction costs.
“If government can reduce taxes on cement companies, the price of cement and blocks will come down automatically,” he added.
Nomeh further disclosed that he serves as the National Vice President of the Block Moulders Association of Nigeria, making him one of the top leaders of the association in the South-East region.
