Nigerite, artisans sign pact on improved housing solution delivery

Nigerite Limited, a leading building component solutions company in Nigeria, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Gypsum and Plaster of Paris Artisans Association of Nigeria (GPPAAN) with the aim of making its plaster board product, Siniat, the most preferred choice among their members and other end users.

Frank Lebris, Nigerite’s Managing Director, assured the artisans that they were committed to the development of the market in their bid to reduce the housing deficit in the country, pointing out however that the association had a role to play in achieving the goal.

Lebris was optimistic that the signing of the MOU would be fruitful and serve as the framework for working together with the association in the journey they have started, describing it as a launch pad to a new era.

Wale Ogungbe, Nigerite Head of Dry Construction Business, disclosed that Nigerite had this kind of partnership with the Carpenter and Furniture Makers Associations in Nigeria, noting that the idea was to develop the industry in Nigeria. Nigerite, he said, would support the association with training activities at different levels and promote their programmes.

“In times of training, we have an expatriate working with us to develop training programmes and other activities. This is part of some of the commitments Nigerite has made in preparation for this relationship,” he stressed.

He noted that one of their ultimate goals was to develop the market so that Nigeria, indeed Nigerite, would be the first company in the West African sub-region to start manufacturing plaster board locally in the nearest future, believing that it was achievable if they both worked together to develop the market.

The MOU, he said, was symbolic to Nigerite because the artisans were responsible for the deployment of the plaster board application in the Nigerian market, adding that it was important for the company to work with them to see the quality and benefit of the product.

He  noted that the market was dominated by the Gypsum product, which takes a lot of time to dry, unlike the plaster board product which dries instantly.

Afolabi Ojo, GPPAAN Chairman, hailed the the MOU, describing it as a dream come true for his association. According to him, they have been waiting for long for this kind of mutual agreement.

“We strongly believe in the philosophy of Nigerite, which is to create an inspiring environment where people can achieve excellence. Over the years, Nigerite has been meeting up with the expectation of stakeholders with their high quality products,” Ojo said, saying that their association was eagerly waiting for the empowerment training programmes being packaged for them by Nigerite.