ABSTRACT
With the demand for
housing in Nigeria growing at a geometric rate while housing provision is at
arithmetic rate, there is obvious need to evolve a more practical method of
achieving mass housing development in the country. Dry construction presents an
excellent opportunity to government at all levels and the primary mortgage
institutions to guarantee speedy provision of mass and affordable housing in
Nigeria. This technology will provide for building professionals and
contractors a viable alternative to the traditional wet construction method
with blocks and bricks and concrete. However, this study will examine the role
of dry construction in ensuring affordable housing in Nigeria.
The study
was conducted in AkwaIbom State, Nigeria and was carried
out at Champion Breweries plcUyoAkwaIbom
State. 50 persons were selected using the simple random sampling (srs)
technique. Questionnaire was also a major instrument used for the study and was
structured in a five-like scale measuring attitude of Strongly Agreed, Agreed,
Undecided, Disagree and Strongly Disagreed. The researcher personally collected
data from the respondents through the help of the human resource manager.
In
analyzing the data collected for the purpose of carrying out this research, the
statistical tool known as the chi- square test was used. The use of sample
percentage was also employed. Tables were used in presenting the data for the
purpose of the simplicity and clarity. This study will examine the role of dry
construction in ensuring affordable houses in Nigeria.
The
findings from this study revealed that there are challenges
to dry construction system in Nigeria.Dry construction system can help solve
Nigeria’s housing challenges.Dry construction system is more expensive than
other means of construction.Dry construction system can be used as a means for
the provision of affordable houses for Nigerians.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
With Nigeria’s
capital expenditure profile put at 24 per cent of recurrent expenditure in 20
14, falling price of crude oil and a high cost of funds for execution of
capital projects, the construction industry in Nigeria is obviously under
pressure to evolve more time and cost efficient system of construction to
ensure affordable housing in Nigeria.
The importance of
housing in human history cannot be overemphasized. Housing is seen as one of
the best indicators of a person’s standard of living and of his or her place in
society (UNCHS, 1993). Housing and building conditions also reflect the living
standards of a society (Venkatarama, 2004). Thus, the importance of access to
adequate and affordable housing took the front burner in the mid 20th century.
Most Nigerian don’t have access to decent housing units due to the cost
occasioned by the cost of building materials. This has led to various
researches into development of the new and innovative dry construction
techniques to enhance access to housing for all.
The new construction
technology which is based on dry construction system which are manufactured
from cement, quartz sand, cellulose, natural calcium and water, are processed
by autoclave (drying process under high pressure and temperature) for durability
and dimensional stability. They are manufactured into boards. The boards which
come in various sizes and thicknesses between 6mm and 20mm, are manufactured
under strict quality control and international standards.
Describing the dry
construction system as a modern building system which tends to translate the
building process into an industrial process, Le (2014) said the system is more
versatile and faster construction method that allows up to 70 per cent
construction time saving possible when compared with the traditional wet
construction using bricks and blocks. He added that whatever the design idea
the Architect can conceive, the dry construction system can achieve, pointing
out that various reference building projects using the boards now abound in Nigeria.
This system, unlike
the traditional brick and block method requires minimum use of water. The
system generates minimum construction waste and dry construction buildings have
much better preserve room temperature and they are energy efficient. The use of
timber associated with the traditional construction is avoided with dry
construction, and the system impacts positively on reducing deforestation.
Lower dry
construction load impacts on minimum excavation, less soil disturbance. The
system compliments better the green building idea for modern construction world
over. In additional, the system is a lightweight construction. It is about 10
times less in weight compared to equivalent blocks and mortar construction,
resulting to savings in foundation and structural costs.
Dry construction for
eave solution has also proved to be a much viable solution with lower
self-weight, faster and better technical finishes. Dry construction building
boards have a high fire resistance rating and good acoustic and thermal properties.
It is also a moisture and pest resistance solution. Explaining that skill-gap
is a major challenge for dry construction, Le (2014) noted that some companies
in Nigeria who are in partnership with other stakeholders with skills in dry
construction technology to put in motion machinery for skill acquisition with
regular trainings to ensure the technology is domicile with the Nigerian
populace, adding that customers’ perception is another challenge to address,
while efforts are in top gear towards continuous education about the modern
system of building.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Various researchers
are of the opinion that with the demand for housing in Nigeria growing at a
geometric rate while housing provision is at arithmetic rate, there is obvious
need to evolve a more practical method of achieving mass housing development in
the country. Dry construction presents an excellent opportunity to government
at all levels and the primary mortgage institutions to guarantee speedy
provision of mass and affordable housing in Nigeria. The researcher is of the
view that dry construction technology will provide for building professionals
and contractors a viable alternative to the traditional wet construction method
with blocks and bricks and concrete. However, this study will examine the role
of dry construction in ensuring affordable housing in Nigeria.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The
following are the objectives of this study:
1. To
examine the role of dry construction in ensuring affordable houses in Nigeria.
2. To
examine the process involved in dry construction system.
3. To
determine the factor limiting the use of dry construction system for building
development in Nigeria.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. What
is the role of dry construction in ensuring affordable houses in Nigeria?
2. What
is the process involved in dry construction system?
3. What
are the factors limiting the use of dry construction system for building
development in Nigeria?
1.5 HYPOTHESIS
HO:
Dry construction system cannot be use as a means for the provision of
affordable houses for Nigerian.
HA:
Dry construction system can be used as a means for the provision of affordable
houses for Nigerian.
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The
following are the significance of this study:
1. The
outcome of this study will educate professionals in building technology and
other stakeholders in the building industry on the need for active innovative
development with the use of dry construction system with the view of ensuring
the provision of affordable houses for Nigerians.
2. This
research will also serve as a resource base to other scholars and researchers
interested in carrying out further research in this field subsequently, if
applied will go to an extent to provide new explanation to the topic
1.7 SCOPE/LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
This
study on the role of dry construction in ensuring affordable houses in Nigeria
will cover all the process involved in the use of dry construction system with
a view of determining approaches that can be adopted in the delivery of
sustainable mass housing for Nigerians.
LIMITATION OF STUDY
Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the
researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information
and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
Time
constraint- The
researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work.
This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.
REFERENCES
UNCHS (1993).
National Trends in Housing Production Practices Volume 4: Nigeria. Nairobi,
Kenya.
Venkatarama
Reddy, B.V. (2004). Sustainable building Technologies.Current Science. Vol.
87/7
Le, A. (2014)
Understanding Stabilized dry Construction. Virginia: VITA Publication Technical
Paper No 2. Retrieved on July 7, 2014from http://sleekfreak.ath.cx:81/3wdev/VITAHTM/SUBLEV/EN1/STABERTH.HTM