Nigerite Launches Kalsi Experience Centre

A couple of months after Nigerite Limited launched Nigeria into a new era in building construction with the introduction of the Kalsi Building Board Solutions in Lagos, the company has taken the innovation a step further by commissioning a Kalsi Experience Centre right within the Nigerite premises.

The structure, a one story duplex, embodies the dynamism and precision of the Kalsi boards as it offers a glimpse into the remarkable and endless possibilities of the dry construction system compared with the traditional wet method. Apart from the foundation of the building, done with the wet process, the other parts of the construction embodied the beauty of the Kalsi building boards. And that included the floors, claddings, partitions, along with the internal and external walls and ceilings.

“Let’s journey to the future of the country,” Frank Le Bris, Nigerite’s Managing Director declared with a sense of pride as he welcomed guests to the event.

The event was witnessed by major stakeholders in the building and construction industry in Nigeria, who were wowed as they were being taken on a tour round the structure. Mr. Le Bris told guests drawn mainly from the professional associations and academia that the innovative Kalsi board solutions from Nigerite is a step in the right direction, adding that “it is the future of Nigerite and the building industry in Nigeria.”

Chairman Nigerian Institute of Architect, Architect Ladipo Lewis said shortly after the tour that the Kalsi building board was a welcome development and offers a fresh new possibility for the building and construction industry in Nigeria. He noted that it is high time Nigerians embraced change because of the numerous advantages therein.

Though the concept of dry construction has been a well-known phenomenon around the world for many years, but it is still largely uncommon in Nigeria, that is why Nigerite Limited, knowing the inherent benefit of this method has taken the initiative to bring the building board solution to Nigeria.

While insisting that the Kalsi boards are not intended to displace the wet methods, but to complement and create an alternative for builders. The company however stressed that the advantages of the boards over the traditional methods are endless,as it can save up to 70 percent of construction time. It is also cost effective, more durable, stronger, lighter, more adaptable and allows for greater flexibility in construction design.

Other benefits of the dry process are that it reduces wastages, allows for easy installation of pipes and other services, it is more environment friendly and energy efficient. “When it comes to cost benefit, the real value of the dry construction relies on key factors like speed of installation, the lowest level of maintenance, easy repair, minimal waste of material and optimization in material compared to brick and mortar,”

“This technology is acceptable to me and it will fly. I know that with time people will accept it,” Builder. Gbenga Asimiyu Bashiru, Chairman Nigeria Institute of Builders said. He noted that most other parts of the world have accepted the building board solution and it was time Nigeria did same.

Also speaking at the event, Sir Engr. Dapo Onaeko, National Vice Chairman, Nigeria Association of Civil Engineers encouraged Nigerians to embrace the new technology.

The Kalsi Building Board Solutions consist of cladding, siding/weather board, partition, ceiling, wet areas, floors, special applications and roof underlay.

Nigerite Limited, a member of the Etex group, a Belgian industrial group based in Brussels, has for more than 55 years been the leader in the Nigerian market, in the manufacturing and marketing of roofing, ceiling, cladding and flooring solutions.