Nigeria: Contractors Accused of Using Inferior Materials - Two major contractors handling the N30 million Naira renovations work at the Police Children's School at the Police Barracks, Otop Abasi in Cross River State, have been accused of using inferior materials for the job. [AA Construction]

Uganda: Imported Cement Chokes Local Sector Laws On Business - Low cost imported cement is choking the regional industry. The reduction in import tariff on cement has led to an influx of cheap cement from low cost producers such as India, China, and Pakistan sold at 50 - 60 per cent less than the domestic market price since producers in these countries enjoy a lower production cost. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: Inconsistency in FG's Cement Policy Worries Developers - THE sudden imposition of levy on bagged cement imports, a move to revive local production has attracted the criticisms from developers. Before now and precisely in 2008, the federal government through the former minister of Commerce and Industry had lifted ban on bagged cement to allow for the importation of the observed shortfall in the product put at about 10 million tons so as to enhance infrastructure and housing delivery. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: Don Discover Structural Qualities of Bamboo - OVER the years bamboo, a vegetative fibre which grows in many parts of Nigeria, has been used mainly for temporary structures like fencing of buildings, in rural areas, while in Urban areas it is predominantly used on construction sites as support during concreting. [AA Construction]

Zimbabwe: Homeless Put Their Hope in Handmade Bricks - The use of handmade bricks is revolutionizing housing in Chinhoyi, 120km north of the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, where housing estates built by poor people have mushroomed in a development that has caught the attention of the housing ministry. [AA Urbanisation]

Rwanda: Asbestos Roofs Banned Because They Are a Health Hazard - The ministry of infrastructure has kicked off a campaign for the removal of all roofs made of asbestos material, since it poses a health hazard. Asbestos has been banned in many countries due to its contribution to lung disease, especially cancer. Nevertheless, in Rwanda the hazardous material can still be found in many buildings, the owners of which are often ignorant of the health risks. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: Nation Plans to Export Cement By 2013 - President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has approved measures that will make Nigeria a cement exporting nation by 2013. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: Nigerite Moves Against High Building Cost - A building construction company, Nigerite Plc says it is planning a package that would guarantee Nigerians ability to own and build their houses. [AA Urbanisation]

Mozambique: Investors Want to Produce Cement - An unspecified number of investors have submitted applications to the government's Investment Promotion Centre (CPI) to build cement factories in Mozambique. [AA Urbanisation]

Kenya: Bitter Inter-Ministry Dispute Threatens Pokot Cement Project - The Office of the President has confirmed that the groundbreaking ceremony for the "ultra-modern" cement plant to be put up by India's largest cement manufacturer, the Sanghi Group, in the Ortum/Sebit area in Kenya's Pokot district, will go on despite the controversy that has recently flared up around it. [AA Urbanisation]

South Africa: Cashbuild Targets Rural Areas for Expansion - BUILDING materials retailer Cashbuild , which is reaping rewards for opening stores in rural areas, expects to spend R200m on opening 10 new stores and refurbishing old ones this year. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: SON Set to Rid The Country of Fake Roofing Sheets - The Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) has said that it is set to rid the nation's market of substandard Long Span Aluminum Roofing Sheets following recent observations through its market survey activities and complaints from consumers in the country. [AA Construction]

Zimbabwe: TA Takes Over PG - TA Holdings Limited has secured control of the country's largest construction materials giant, PG Industries, after sealing a deal for the acquisition of a significant stake in the group. [AA Construction]

Uganda: Steer Clear of Disaster, Save Money by Testing Materials - Last year was filled with collapsing buildings in various parts of Kampala. According to media reports; it was observed that only 10 per cent of new buildings in Kampala conform to construction requirements. However, when the average person considers those requirements he doesn't bear in mind material testing, which is a major prerequisite in the construction industry. [AA Construction]

Botswana: Botec Plans Use of Kgalagadi Sands for Brick-Making - The chief executive officer of the Botswana Technology Centre (BOTEC) Dr Edson Selaolo has said they are supporting initiatives designed to utilise the Kgalagadi Desert sands for brick-making. [AA Construction]