In Africa, the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria are urging federal lawmakers to consider the use of cement to build concrete roads in place of the current practice of using laterite and asphalt which have short life-spans. Association Chairman Joseph Makoju is using an argument well known in the U.S.; that although the cost of building roads with concrete would be 10-15 per cent higher, it would be cheaper in the long haul. Makoju said with an installed capacity of 28 million metric tonnes and a demand of only 17 million metric tonnes of cement per annum, the availability of locally produced cement could be leveraged in constructing roads that would be longer lasting.