In a significant milestone for its operational standards, the Dangote’s Okpella Cement Limited has secured the Integrated Management System (IMS) Certification, following a successful audit.
The IMS certification shows the company’s commitment to world-class quality, environmental, and safety standards.
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), in a communication, says it conferred the certification to Okpella Cement Limited in recognition of its commitment to quality, safety, and health standards across its operations.
“Okpella Plant’s IMS certification journey transformed our management practices into a cohesive system that meets global standards for quality, environmental stewardship, and occupational health and safety,” plant director, Engr. Mohammed Ismaeel said at a ceremony in Okpella at the weekend.
The plant director said:” I want to say a big congratulations to all of us. This certification means a lot to us. It is the outcome of hard work. The certification reflects our commitment to the company’s vision statement to be one of the global leaders in cement manufacturing. We want to be respected when it comes to quality product, services, and above all respected in the way we conduct our businesses.”
He said some of the benefits of the certification include global recognition, continuity in business, reduction in wastages, enhanced customer satisfaction and product quality, increases quality culture and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Engr. Ismaeel, a strong advocate of the certification, added: “It is not a certificate for show. It is a certificate that shows that we are committed to those things that we have in our quality, environment and health manuals.”
The certificate was presented to management of the company by the Head of Quality Control and IMS Team Lead, Okpella Cement Limited, Anil Rao.
Rao said one of its objectives is to build an integrated management system framework that ensures consistent product quality, environmental responsibility, and safe working conditions, while strategically positioning the plant as a global leader in cement production, respected for the quality of our products and services whilst preparing the plant for successful ISO certification.
He said with the milestone, Okpella Cement Limited reasserts its position as an industry leader committed to excellence, sustainability and global best practice.
He said the Okpella Cement Limited’s Integrated Management System (IMS) certification process was designed to align the company’s operations with three key international standards: Quality Management System (QMS), Environmental Management System (EMS) and Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS).
The company’s IMS lead said the certification process followed a structured three-phase route: Capacity Building, Implementation, as well as Performance Evaluation and Certification.
