…As New harvests crash prices of foodstuff in Yobe***

Builders and other stakeholders have lauded the BlocMaster Cement which was formally launched by Dangote Cement PLC yesterday in Kano, Kano State, describing it as extra strong and the best for block moulding in Nigeria.

According to stakeholders, before it was officially rolled out yesterday, the innovative cement product had been adjudged ideal by the country’s engineers, builders and block makers, due to its rapid setting within an hour, its strength and top quality.

Block makers in attendance lauded the company’s innovate efforts and after a demonstrative test also confirmed its strength and asserted that surely, it is the best product for building construction for now, from the stable of Dangote cement.

Speaking at the official unveiling of the cement yesterday, Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje called on all Nigerians to patronize the new cement to help minimize the menace of collapse building in the country.

The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji commended the management of Dangote Group, adding that it has always been supportive in all sectors of the economy.

Group managing director, Dangote Cement Plc Eng. Joe Makoju said the new brand is a product of years of deep research, adding that it has been tested and approved by builders nationwide.

According to him, it is strong and affordable to Nigerians because of its rapid setting, especially during raining season.

“This is a new era. This is a new quality. This is a product of research,” Mr. Makoju said.

Speaking, group chief marketing officer, Oare Ojeikere said the new cement is multipurpose and very strong, urging Nigerians to adopt it for all construction purposes.

He said he was happy that hundreds of builders in Kano had used it before the launch.

The immediate past chairman, Nigeria Institute of Building and Director Consultancy Services, Science and Technical Schools Board, Kano State Abdullahi Alhassan SanSan said he was elated because the new cement block will address the issue of collapse building in the country.

Speaking also at the event, Manager Magina Blocks Industries Kano Nura Musa Yahayah said he has used the block and can therefore recommend it to Nigerians. According to him: “I can recommend this product. I have personally used it and I am very convinced that it is the best for those of us who are in the business of cement moulding. It is strong and sets very fast. This is the product that we need at this time and we are grateful to the Management of Dangote Cement for giving us this product”

Chairman Kano State Concrete Block Makers and Allied Products Association Alhaji Umar Faruk Musa said the cement innovation will translate into more income for block makers and in the long run for Nigeria.

He commended Alhaji Aliko Dangote for yet another giant stride, a week after a flour brand was unveiled by the same Group

In the meantime, prices of foodstuff have crumbled in Yobe as farmers in the state commenced the harvesting of their produce.

Our reporter’s checks revealed that a bag of millet which used to sell between N11, 000 and N12, 000 is now sold between N6, 500 and N7,000.

Malam Hassan Umar, a grain dealer in Gashua, said the new harvests had crashed the price of millet which is the staple food of the people.

‘‘Last week a bag of newly harvested millet was sold at N8,000 as against N10,000 three weeks ago, but it dropped to N6,000 at the Ngalda market this week.’’

He said the old stock, because of the high demand for it, was still sold at N8, 000.

Musa Kabiru, another grain merchant in Damaturu, said the price was expected to crash further before stabilising at N5, 000 per bag.

Meanwhile, farmers who spoke to our reporter in Damaturu, Bursari and Bade Local Government Areas, are celebrating the bumper harvests.

Abba Usman, a farmer in Dapchi, said the harvests this season were very good and with high yields.

‘‘Unlike last year when the rains stopped early, the rains have been excellent this year, it’s still raining even when the crops are mature,’’ he said.

Bukar Mohammed, another farmer, said there are possibilities of harvesting more beans and groundnuts far more than what was obtained in the 2017 season.

The Citizen with additional report from The Nation