In a bid to enhance quick delivery of housing across the country, a leading building component solutions company in Nigeria, Nigerite Limited, has entered into a partnership agreement with the Association of Plaster of Paris (POP). Gypsum and Plaster of Paris Artisan Association of Nigeria is the umbrella body of POP artisans in the country.
The partnership agreement, which comes in form of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), will afford both parties the opportunity to share ideas that will help promote dry construction as a cost-effective approach in modern construction. While signing the MoU, The Managing Director of Nigerite Limited, Mr.Frank Lebris, thank members of the group for their willingness to begin a new journey with the organisation, saying it was the right move to have heeded the call.
He said: “We commend your group for the official kick-off of our cooperation. We believe it is the right step that you have taken. We rely on you to get fruitful result and we are hopeful you will not disappoint us”
Speaking further on the motive behind the agreement, Lebris said it was part of the organisation’s resolve to contribute to the development of building material market by ensuring that going forward, there is great reduction in housing deficit.
He added: “We are committed to supporting the building material market. That is why we are engaging stakeholders like your group so that overall, the industry can be better for it. Our aim is to go from what we do now which include roofing to wall, metal trusses as this will help in no small measure to contribute to the reduction in housing deficit. So, we want you to be part of our organisation to reduce this deficit.”
Assuring the group of their support, Lebris stated that the organisation is ready to partner by offering support in execution of some of their projects, saying; “We are ready to assist you on some of our projects. We see this meeting as a starting point, a jumping board for a new era.”
While commending the management of Nigerite for initiating the agreement move, the chairman of the association, Mr. Afolabi Ojo, expressed delight that the journey which began a year ago was coming to reality.
Speaking at the event, Lebris said that they are committed to the development of the market, which is reducing housing deficit in the country, adding that the association has a role to play in achieving the goal.
Nigerite Head of Dry Construction Business Unit, Mr. Wale Ogungbe, said the company was embarking on another exercise with POP, having had similar partnership with its carpentry counterparts few years ago.
He disclosed that Nigerite would support the association with training at different levels, adding that they would promote and support their programmes.
In his word: “In times of training, we have an expatriate working with us to develop training and other activities. This is part of some of the commitment Nigerite has made in preparation for this relationship.”
He noted that one of their ultimate goals is to develop the market so that Nigeria and, indeed Nigerite, would be the first company in the West Africa to start manufacturing plasterboard locally in the nearest future and they believe this is achievable if they both work together to develop the market.
Source : Independent