‘We’re Bringing New Housing Technology In Nigeria’

Pius Ajie Okpeaye is a member of the British Africa Business Alliance and also the Chief Executive Officer of United Kingdom-based Carinthia Gold Profile UK Ltd which specialises in new housing technology using the GHS Housing Solution. In this interview with selected journalists, he speaks on the urgency to tackle Nigeria’s housing deficits set to be over two million, prospects of enhancing the Agribusiness sector, and many programmes undertaken by the company, among others. SEGUN ADEBAYO was there.

What is your company’s specific focus?

We specialise in the provision of building and civil engineering works and other construction services, this includes construction and maintenance of roads and highways, real estate development; commercial, industrial, and residential buildings, industrial public and private building complexes, Offices, Estates, Airports, Oilfields, Skyscrapers, Railways, Hospital and Health Centers, Educational Centers, Roads, Highways etc. We have an expert team of licensed architects, engineers, and project managers that specialises and excels in modern building and construction, delivering exceptional structures and facilities on time and within budget. We have also demonstrated a proven track record that reflects our commitment to quality and regulatory compliance. Apart from possessing technical expertise, collaborative partnerships and stakeholder engagement define our excellent delivery of projects. We also boast of strong global alliances and joint ventures in executing critical construction projects with precision and high quality. We have undertaken projects that are considered landmark projects across Africa and globally that attest to our capabilities.

Some of our notable partnerships are with Global Housing Solution of Austria where Alexander Khinast is the Managing Director, Bertsch Group where Hubert Hacki is the Managing Director and of course, Carinthia Gold Profile UK Ltd; a major building and civil Engineering company in Nigeria with Walter Presser as the President. These entities have continued to enhance our technological proficiency. Our company plays a pivotal role in cultivating economic partnerships, and deepening connections, including unveiling novel prospects between the United Kingdom and Nigeria.  We are a member of the British African Business Alliance (BABA) where Mr David Smith is the Chairman. Our company and partners seek to reinforce the bilateral rapport, boost trade and investment, and explore avenues for symbiotic business alliances through leveraging substantial economic prowess that provides a unique platform for uniting key stakeholders, industry luminaries, policymakers, and entrepreneurs from both domains.

What attracts your company and partners to Nigeria?

Of course, as Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria offers a vast array of investment prospects spanning energy, manufacturing, agriculture, infrastructure, technology, and finance. With a population in excess of 200 million people, and a growing middle class, the Nigerian market offers an exciting opportunity for global investors seeking new frontiers for business collaborations. My company and her partners have always explored new means of taking the advantaged position of the United Kingdom as a global powerhouse to access financial services, technological strides, creative industries, and a robust investment landscape.

Can you please unveil the identities of your other business partners?

As I earlier said, our company and its partners are involved in construction. Carinthia Gold Profile UK Limited represents Global Housing Solution (GHS), and is engaged in offering innovative Permanent Home solutions across many countries of the world. Our partnership harnesses GHS technology, combining a robust plastic shell, concrete fill, and steel reinforcement to create durable, sustainable housing. This unique PVC-concrete system presents a non-traditional, rapid alternative to conventional house construction. The PVC shell, filled with concrete and fortified with steel, showcases remarkable attributes: bulletproof, fireproof, weather-resistant, and maintenance-free. Backed by a 30-year guarantee and a 150-year lifespan, our houses epitomize excellent and enduring quality.

Which of the countries have you deployed the GHS Technology for the construction of houses?

GHS Housing Solution has over one million homes across South America, including a prominent presence in countries like Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru, and Haiti that validates the technology’s success. We have also shown our presence in African nations such as Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, along with extensive adoption in Nigeria, including significant projects like the Nigerian Army housing project in Abuja. The deployment of the GHS Technology has greatly assisted in bridging the housing deficits that plague Africa endlessly.It is also of utmost importance to note here that we can complete a 50/60 sqm house within 5-6 days.

Can you expand our knowledge on the GHS factory that is driving the GHS Technology?

The GHS Factory enhances the speedy construction of buildings and fast completion of work projects. It enables simple and quick assembling of each house in a way that allows full construction of a detached house to be finalized within a week.  A 5-line GHS Factory has the capacity to build a minimum of 50,000 housing units per year, we intend to progress to 100,000 houses as the need arises. In order to provide affordable housing solutions to all, we have reduced our prices. Rather than importing the raw materials needed for the production of GHS houses leading to a high cost of production, we shall set up a Factory that will produce raw materials in order to reduce the cost of importation of the needed raw materials and cost of transportation, leading to affordable housing for all. This will also help to effectively execute the work in a timely manner. The materials also will be available to other real estate developers interested in the GHS Technology for purchase for the execution of their various housing projects. The planned factory has the capacity to create massive employment opportunities for thousands of people.

The advantages of the GHS Housing Solution Technology are aimed at decreasing the cost of housing solutions to the state, including speedy construction of buildings and fast completion of work projects; and introduction of the most innovative plastic-concrete wall systems on the market. GHS Technology enables simple and quick assembling of each house in a way that allows full construction of a detached house to be finalised within a week. The technology also allows for easy installation and maintenance is free, durable/long-lasting, with interiors that have an attractive look, a high hygiene standard, and endurance for decades. It may interest you to note that over 70% of the object consists of non-flammable concrete. The PVC shell, unlike wood or other construction materials, is self-extinguishing (not inflammable) and in the case of fire, it melts rather than bursts into flames compared to other construction materials that will burst into fire. Apart from being environmentally friendly as it uses PVC profiles that are 100% recyclable and reusable, the deployment of the GHS Technology is largely made up of non-hazardous components and according to an independent study by TÜV Rhineland, there are no emissions of volatile, organic or carcinogenic substances. Consequently, PVC used in this application presents absolutely no harm to public health.

The Infrastructural facilities to be provided by GHS technology are of world standard, easy functionality, durable, and to a large extent maintenance-free. Easy installation; Electrical installation and water piping can be carried out easily. Electrical cables, pressure lines for water supply, and drains up to a diameter of 50mm are laid directly in the house walls before being covered with concrete. The GHS construction technology- GHS clip Plus 80- allows the construction of the whole house from the same profiles. With simple adjustments, the wall profiles are used as ceiling profiles for two-storey buildings as well as roof profiles for a flat roof.

Apart from constructing houses, what other businesses is your firm involved in?

Our company is deeply engaged in enhancing Agribusiness through services that range from Agric engineering and technological support services in Agribusiness. Our expert technological solutions in the livestock, meat, milk, and dairy industry have been proven in international use for decades. In Nigeria and other parts of Africa, we are the sole Partner of BERTSCH Group; Bertschlaska and BERTSCH Foodtec of Austria. Our synergy specializes in ranch design and manufacturing of state-of-the-art, durable, reliable, and modern equipment for slaughtering animals and packaging cattle meat, milk, butter, and cheese processing equipment; ready to be streamlined into distribution networks and markets, storage facilities, and has a complete range of Slaughterhouse equipment and complete range of meat processing equipment. Bertschlaska produces and delivers complete custom solutions for the modern meat industry. It is a specialist in customised, complete abattoir system solutions, including the processing of by-products, cutting systems, logistics, and Refrigeration. Bertsch Foodtec is the leading producer of processing plants for the dairy industry and offers appropriate solutions for cheese producers and industrial milk processing companies. They design, plan, and manufacture dairy solutions tailored to the operational and economical needs of customers. They deliver single production lines and complete dairy plants.

Rising demand for meat globally has been fueling market growth and creating many investment opportunities. However, in most parts of Africa, meat processing is underdeveloped and hardly goes beyond the traditional slaughtering of meat on the slab which is not hygienic, or wholesome and does not attract the right customers that will pay the margins and make the sector attractive to people. Dairy and milk consumption is also rising faster than the pace of production, leaving imports to fill the gap. These have necessitated the adaptation of modern technological infrastructure to the system that will raise standards, increase production and quality, attract more opportunities and patronage, and substantially raise the profit margins.

Do you have any programme for empowering teeming youths with skills for employment?

We have been involved in meaningful ventures to address youth and women unemployment by creating tailored employment opportunities. We envision a fair society for all, fostering success. The Youth and Women Empowerment Program equips individuals with vital skills, fostering self-reliance and active participation for societal benefit. We also tackle issues of the barriers faced by women in various economic realms. To combat these, we are involved in undertaking extensive training programmes aimed at empowering youths and women for comprehensive social development. This approach aims to secure fulfilling lives, unlocking their fullest potential. Our primary focus in this area will be on capacity-building, knowledge, and support services needed to enable women and youths to engage in productive activities, gain control of their lives, generate income, and exert influence in society. Under this programme, we strive to build Skills and Knowledge: provide educational and vocational training opportunities to enhance their employability and entrepreneurship skills; offer mentorship programs, workshops, and motivational sessions to develop leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills and facilitate access to technology, digital literacy training, and online resources to bridge the digital divide and enhance career prospects. Our firm is also involved in promoting Health and Well-being through conducting workshops on mental health, self-care, and stress management to address the emotional and psychological well-being of participants; organising fitness and nutrition programs, promoting healthy lifestyles, and raising awareness about the importance of physical well-being, among other programmes. These have not only contributed to the overall development of the local community but also ensured the success and sustainability of our Projects.

Furthermore, we carry out these training and certification for some selected persons through our training and certification programme with our affiliate universities. These people are trained by our internationally recognized personnel. The training is carried out both in Europe and on the ground and certificates are issued by the affiliate Universities in Europe. We train on the production and installation of the Global Housing System. This enhances the capacities and technical competence of the people after most of them are deployed to various construction sites, thereby creating job opportunities and making them gainfully employed. These trainings include training in Agriculture, Animal husbandry, and food processing as well as providing know-how about livestock and training for farmers upon agreement overseas.