FG tackles housing deficit with American technology -

By YINKA KOLAWOLEThe Federal Government is to adopt an American building technology for the development of mass housing across the country in a bid to tackle the huge housing deficit in the country.Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi, stated this during a visit to the site of the pilot project being undertaken by the Ministry in partnership with American Building Systems to develop 80-unit prototype houses in Kuje, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The building system adopted for the prototype housing scheme employs the use of light gauge steel technology and local raw materials.The minister said the new technology was being adopted by government to rapidly address the huge housing deficit gap in the country estimated to be 17 million units. She asserted that the new technology, which is mainly used in the United State of America, ensures the completion of a unit of housing within five to10 days. According to her, after the completion of the 80-unit prototype affordable housing scheme, the new technology would be replicated in other parts of the country.“I came here to see one of the project sites of the ministry handled by the American Building Systems where they use special American technology to build the housing units. And I have seen the construction and each block can be delivered about 10 days after the foundation would have been laid. I have gone round and seen the structure and I want to say that I am very impressed about the technology. The former US Ambassador to Nigeria, Robin Sanders, is also here with me to give explanation of her role from the US NEXIM Bank to back up the Nigerian government, my ministry in this project,” she said.Eyakenyi explained that the choice to adopt the system was because it is cheaper and faster. “From what we have seen, it is cheaper to deliver and also timely to deliver. For instance, in 10 days, a three bedroom unit that goes for N6 million only can be delivered. If we go with our conventional building method, except subsidised, you will have a similar building going for about N8 million to 10 million. On completion, the developer would have a maintenance unit at the site. Government would replicate this technology in other states of the federation,” she remarked.