Christopher Belonwu, an expert in the building and construction sector, has called on the government to invest in locally sourced building materials to make affordable housing a reality in the country.

Mr Belonwu, also the chairman of the Artisans and Craftsmen Qualifications Awarding Board of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), spoke in a telephone interview on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to him, if the government puts money into research and development for locally sourced alternative building materials, this should reduce the cost of materials and reduce pressure on the naira.

“The government should stop being political about it and put words into action. There should be regulations on the escalating prices of building materials.

“Nearly every day, you find prices of building materials going up in the market because nobody is regulating the cost of materials.

“Manufacturers and marketers sell at whatever price they feel is okay for them because nobody is regulating them, which is quite unfortunate,” stated Mr Belonwu.

He also suggested that the government should make mass housing affordable for off-takers.

“The mass housing been built by government should be made affordable for off takers. The common man or average civil servant should be able to afford it.

“Most times, the houses are bought by the wealthy since the poor or average Nigerians cannot afford them. The location of housing estates being developed is also a factor. 

“They should be accessible, and the infrastructure around them should be developed.

“The government should be serious with the mortgage system. The rent-to-own initiative should be encouraged,” the expert noted.

(NAN)