Sustainable Cement Utilization
[Enugu, Enugu State Nigeria]

4.2.9.3: Respondent’s view on the number of trucks that come into the market weekly and the type of cement sold 28.57% of the respondents indicated that less than six (6) trucks of cement are brought into the market, 39.68% said that the number of trucks brought to the market is between six (6) to ten (10). The remaining 31.75% said that more than ten (10) trucks are brought into the market per week on the type of cement sold, all the respondents said they sale Portland cement. From the response, one can see that the number of trucks brought into the market differs depending on the depot. Some are seen to be major depot and are known while others are not so known therefore do not have as much customers as the major depot. Also the trucks are brought on demand while some dealers have big capital to work with others are nor as wealthy and may not be able to order for much truck as the others.

FINDINGS

a) Most of the cement dealers were male as well as the site personnels, a greater percentage are married and above the age of 40. Their educational background is between secondary school level and above. cix They have also been in the business for more than 10 years and are categorized under high income earners, that is earning N 30,000 naira and above. They do not need certificate to be in business just experience.

b) In Enugu State, the major part where cement is sold is in Enugu South, particularly in Kenyatta Depot. This is regarded as the major depot, with many distributors as well as big shops.

c) The dealers as well as the site personnels get this product from within the country, from different companies. The companies may have gotten this product in bulk and now bagged there products. But this is not vey clear from the market and sites because they all buy this product from the distributors in bags.

d) Cement becomes scarce at some time of the year which is not steady it could be in the wet or dry season depending on factory factors. Outside being scarce at some times. Mostly this product is always available when demanded from the companies.

e) Transportation adversely contributes to environmental impact of cement.The trucks that convey the cement from the companies to the different depots and sites emit CO2 which is very unfriendly to the environment. Also when these trucks are piled in a long line because of cx traffic congestion, this effect becomes more adverse. The bad road also shows the movement of these trucks. The price of this product is affected by transportation which is caused by price changes in the fuel price.

f) Complaints are lodged with practically little or no response as these complaints may actually not get the producers. Especially because of the fact that their complaints are made verbally.

g) Majority of the brand of cement sold is Dangote and a little like Unicem, Ibeto, etc. This could be as a result of the fact that Nkalagu cement is not presently functional and Ibeto just started production after a long time of staying out of production.

h) The dealers mind the brand that can be easily sold off before going for it and because they also want to met up with the demand. An average dealer will get between 300 – 600 bags per week in his depot that is approximately one truck per week because a truck contains 600 bags.

i) The alternative to cement in building production which includes mud/clay, interlocking blocks, bricks etc is not used perfectly because the use of mud is gradually dying off as an out dated practice while others like bricks, interlocking are not known a to be used.

j) The quantity of cement produced can be increased with the reactivation of the first and foremost cement factory, Nkalagu Cement.

k) The use of cement in construction is still on the increase since the alternatives are not yet fully in use.

l) The fall in cement supply has been attributed to the expiration of licences to import the bulk cement, and the failure of government to issue new ones.