The Minister of Water Resources, Sulaiman Adamu has expressed worry over the population of Nigerians living in mud and thatched houses.
Adamu, during 28th edition of Archibuilt exhibition in Abuja, an event organized by the Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA), disclosed that the population kept increasing despite policies of the Federal Government to providing affordable housing in the country.
The event was themed: “Promoting the Development of Building Materials and Services for the Nigerian Market.”
He said there was need to domesticate foreign housing technologies to really make raw materials in the built sector cheap and affordable.
According to him, States and federal government can no longer invest much in social infrastructure due to the foreign exchange.
Adamu said: “The housing deficits have been mentioned and the quality of houses in our slums. The kinds of habitations we have in this 21st century are quiet disturbing. I noticed that we are getting more slums every day, everywhere has slums that exist.
“There is strong divide, either you at the high end or the low end of the economy. The living conditions of those at the low end are deteriorating every day. So there is a huge challenge to ensure we provide affordable houses and decent living for our people. We cannot continue to have people living in thatched and mud houses. We all have relatives in the villages and we know how they are living, so I don’t need to say more.”
“I just came back from Ondo State where we held the National Council Meeting last week. All the water schemes were done either in the colonial period or 1960s. There has been no investment in the water sector of late. So, this issue of local component is very dear to us. It is not only in architecture but everywhere. It is a big challenge,” the Minister added.
He identified need for synergy among professional associations, research institutes and the industry to salvage the housing challenge in the country.
Stressing that ever stakeholders have been working independently, he emphasized that innovations produced by research institutes should be developed and further put to best use.
The NIS President, Arc. Tonye Braide, in his remark advised that resolutions put together during the event should be implemented to really create sustainable solutions for housing deficit.
He said there was need to infuse the idea in real life projects, adding that the nation could achieve affordable housing.
“If you look at what is disposable income and about 30 per cent of that income could be used to get an affordable home. The element is to get four corners of a wall around yourself and a roof over your head. Though, it depends on the size and number of people in the room,” Braide said.
However, he acknowledged claims that some people are homeless and the government should be responsible for providing the homes.
Braide argued further that domesticating foreign building technologies would increase markets and create jobs.
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