Stakeholders in BEBM Exhibition advocates Local Materials for Housing Construction .
* As Ex. NUJ chairman, Atabor calls for Good Governance.
The stakeholders in the Built Environment and Building Materials exhibition have advocated for the use of locally sourced raw materials for Housing Construction to bridge the widening deficit gap in Nigeria.
This was the summation of the participants in the 6th Edition of BEBM Exhibition with theme” Local Building Materials: Affordable strategy for Housing in Nigeria, path to economic rejuvenation” held on 10th -12th December 2024 in Lokoja, kogi state capital.
They noted that the high demand for affordable shelter across the country could only be reduced if conscious and deliberate policies are made to ensure that local raw materials form the bulk in the built industry.
They disclosed that our fore fathers did use locally sourced materials to build their houses- before the advent of civilisation which can be improved upon to ease construction of modern houses , reduce stress on foreign exchange demand and shore up the value of Naira.
In a paper tagged” the making of Kogi of our dream, he presented at the grand finale of t exhibition on Thursday Night, the two time ex chairman of NUJ kogi state Council . Hon. Alih Atabor charged stakeholders to think outside the box to bring down the alarming rate of housing deficit affecting the Nation.
He said to achieve kogi state of the dream of the generality of the people, requires collective efforts from the Government, private sector and the citizenry.
He stated that , despite the abundant mineral deposits, the state has not been able to realise it’s full potentials for the benefits of her people.
The Ex. NUJ boss avvered that the state would have achieved its maximum growth if previous Administrations had demonstrated uncommon governance to harness the numerous resources in the state , saying , although, the past administrations had done their best, but much still needed for the people to have kogi of their dream.
He said the only option for the state to achieve its full potential is for the leadership at all levels to offer effective and efficient governance aimed at utilising the God given endowment for the betterment of the people.
He added that kogi state created 33 years ago with about Seven former chief Executives and the incumbent Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, have done their best to put the state on the National map with landmark infrastructures, however there is still room for the government to provide the best for the people.
He urged the Government to be transparent, accountable and responsive to give priority to the needs of the people.
According to him , to have a dream kogi state, government should provide Healthcare, pipe borne water, Qualitative Education, Electricity, Roads infrastructures and create enabling environment for business to flourish.
He drew the attention of the government to the importance of Functional Education, Infrastructures development, Agriculture and utilisation of the abundant mineral deposits in the state, saying these sectors hold the keys to unlock the greatness of kogi state.
While soliciting for collective effort in transforming the state, said emphasis should be placed on efficient security of lives and property and the care for the health needs of the people would escalate the prosperity of the state.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellors of Ahmadu Bello university Zaria and Confluence University of Technology Osara had presented papers on how best to use modern technology to build affordable housing for the good of the people.
In his contribution, The Elulu of Mopa , HRM Oba Muyiwa Ibeun also lent his voice to application of Local Raw materials in Housing Construction in order to bridge the widening deficits and to reduce the cost of building houses in Nigeria.
The Monarch who is also the General Secretary of Indigenous Contractors of Nigeria, said , the high cost of imported building materials have impacted negatively on built environment making housing unaffordable for most Nigerians.
He noted that his Association has been in the forefront in pushing for the policy shift to the use of Local Raw materials which are abundant in the country and the adoption of Local technology to the built industry as veritable option to bring down the cost of housing construction in the country.
He said, he had in the course of his journey in the construction industry champion for local content to stimulate construction industry in order to have positive impact on the society.
Oba Ibeun disclosed that the construction industry if properly utilised can stimulate the economy and guarantee development and reduce unemployment and other social vices.
In his vote of thanks, the convener of the exhibition, Builder, Bayode Oladipo, commended the participants for their invaluable support in the last six years .
He said, the purpose of the exhibition is to generate conversation on how best to maximize the potential inherent in the building industry,, saying, that with effective synergy the nation can provide cost effective Housing for the populace.
He charged the stakeholders to chart the alternative source of raw materials in the building industry to save cost and ultimately makes housing accessible to all.
He pledged to roll out the website to showcase latest technology in the built environment.
Highlights of the exhibition was the presentation of awards to deserving recepients
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