Use of local materials in housing projects stimulates economic growth – Fashola

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has said the proclamation of Executive Orders 3 and 5 has led to the use of local materials in construction of federal government housing projects thereby stimulating Nigeria’s economic growth.

Fashola, who spoke at the 35th Annual Assembly of Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSBRN), said the government launched the National Housing Programme in 2016 as a means of providing affordable housing nationwide to Nigerians, thereby addressing the housing deficit in the country.

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“The ministry in promoting local content in line with Executive Orders numbers 3 and 5 ensured the use of only local building materials in the programme and the production and use of the materials have stimulated the economy of the country tremendously,” he said.

He added that the programme, which is in its third phase, has been completed with a portal launched by the ministry to provide equal opportunities for Nigerians to own a home.

“This process eliminates physical contact  for a transparent bidding for Nigerians all over the world to subscribe to the 1,2 and 3 bedroom units and semi- detached bungalows available,” he said.

Also speaking at the event,  President of QSRBN, Murtala Aliyu, urged quantity surveyors to develop their skills in the profession as technology is taking over jobs around the world.

While stating that quackery is a serious threat to the building industry, he called for laws that would jail individuals found wanting in the collapse of buildings.

Aliyu further stated that regulatory agencies need to strengthen their staffs’ capacities to avoid corruption as contractors found ways to use low quality materials in their projects despite quality control checks.