Lack of research and devt’s adoption, bane of affordable housing — Expert

One of the built environment professionals, Mr Femi Oyedele, has adduced lack of adoption of research and development (R&D) findings in road and building construction for the bane of affordable housing in the country.

This, Oyedele, who is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fame Oyster and Co., said has led to apathy for more research and development into new and innovative construction materials and methodology.

His concern is not unconnected with the high costs of building materials and affordable housing units in the country despite the nation’s 20 million accommodation deficit.

“We are being dragged into using expensive cement, aluminium roofing sheets and ceramic water closet whereas there are alternatives in clay blocks, galvanised sheets and plastic water closet respectively. “

Canvassing the use of locally sourced building materials for affordable houses, he added: “In the case of wall and floor tiles, we can use cheaper vinyl flooring and walling carpet instead of ceramic tiles and more expensive linoleum flooring.

“There is no part of the building that we don’t have cheaper and acceptable alternatives that can be used to make sure we have affordable housing that low-income earners in Nigeria can subscribe to.”

Contrary to apathy towards the use of locally sourced building materials, Oyedele said there was no apathy to affordable housing on the part of the people.

Other reasons, he said were high level of poverty and over dependent on cement in the country, pointing out that housing cannot be adequate, both quantitatively and qualitatively, where there is higher than normal rate of unemployment.

“We also depend too much on cement for our housing. Cement was discovered in the England midland. They don’t use cement in their buildings as we do in Nigeria.

“For foundation, for sandcrete blocks, for lintel, for plastering, for screeding and flooring, we use cement. We also use imported roofing sheets and finishings like ceramic water closets and kitchen sink and taps.

“We also don’t implement our policies. For example Employees Housing Schemes (Special Provisions) Act 1979 which stipulates that any company with over 500 workers must provide staff housing, National Housing Fund (NHF) Establishment Act Cap. N45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, Housing as a Right, Charter 25 of UNO etc. No country that is serious with housing provision will be as non-strategic as we are in Nigeria.”

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