PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH RURAL HOUSING IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       INTRODUCTION

            1.1       BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Housing is a physical structure used for shelter; it includes all equipment, facilities and amenities needed for healthy living of the occupants. Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs theory propounded in (1976).

Decent housing is one of the basic needs for every individual in the family and community in general.

As a pre-requisite to the structure which may be refers to security or safety and rank second in the physiological needs, otherwise called clothing and food in (Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs theory 1976).

To a great extent, the difficulties examine by housing problem becomes over whelming in recent years. Housing is one of the paramount necessities of humanity. University it reflects the culture, and life style of the society. In addition, housing either in unit or multiple forms is an important component of the physical form and structure of a community, while the human and family occupants of the house are part of the living souls and prosperity of the society, (Wahab 1983).

Agboola (1998) described housing as a unit of the environment having pronounced influence on the health, social behavior, satisfaction and general welfare of he community. If reflects the cultural, social land economics value of a society as it is the best physical and historical evidence of civilization in a country (Agboola 1998).

The importance of providing adequate housing in any country cannot be over emphasized. It is a stimulant of national economy. Housing is more distinct form just shelter or rood over one’s head.

It is for protection form climate element like rain, sun ideal disposal of household and human waste. There should be sufficient space for wealthy living and privacy security of tenure of occupancy, provision and availability of space and clean drinking water should be provided, affordability and access to place of employment, healthcare, recreation and educational services. A housing frame work will the above mention characteristics is regarded as an adequate housing. In addition, a decent house can be regarded as the right of every individual. A great proportion of the populations of the Nigeria live in sub-standard and poor housing and in deplorable unsanitary residential environment (Aubvivs 1975).

In Nigeria, the housing difficult particularly of low income earner have been complicated by condition peculiar to developing countries with rapid growth, inflate real estate values, speculative activity, influx of poor immigrants and clack of planning (Wahab 1983).

Furthermore, housing is one of the bases of human needs; provision of houses through the creation of mortgage is taken for granted in developing countries, especially in sub-Salinayor Africa (Ovuwone 1992).

All government in Nigeria since independence highlighted housing as a major priority. Unfortunately for over 50 years of its independence Nigeria is yet to develop a vibrant mortgage market and houses continue to be provided through the tortuous traditional method of buying land and building over since years, which could be an individual entire lifetime. In many cases, such are left uncompleted or individual have to deplete their entire life saving in order to build a home.

Looking at the statistics, we see that there are tremendous opportunities in the Nigeria Looking at the statistic; we see that there are tremendous opportunities in the Nigeria housing sector waiting to be tapped. We should note that the government alone can not fill the gap, we should have to leverage on the resources available in the private sector while also encouraging foreign investment. Government (federal and the sub-natural government) should focus on providing a favourable investment climate, infrastructure and mortgage insurance to first time home buyers and how to middle income families. We must however note that there are challenges to harnessing the huge potentials inherent. In Nigeria housing sector and invariably providing affordable housing in Nigeria.

 It is necessary to study the problems associated with rural housing in Nigeria because housing is of great importance to man. Thus the study will enable us to examine more problems associated with rural housing in Nigeria, and rural areas.

1.2  STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The problem of rural housing has become an everyday discussion in all quarters of the public and private services of the developing countries.

This is emphasis by Onibokun (1996 and Nubi 1991) that the shortcoming are inadequate housing provided for people which indicate that the number of housing provision is very low to that number of the inhabitants available in the area.

In Igboowu services and facilities such as electricity which is generally a problem in Nigeria has become worse in rural areas, also absence of portable water supply and motorable roads absence of decent building and generally in adequacy of facilities.

Likewise, in Igbowu inadequate electricity, lack of good road.

Some question must be raised in order to provide the answer to the problem.

1.   Why has rural housing system remained passive?

2.    Why is the socio-economic development having impact of the rural housing?

3.   Is there any existing structure of housing that caters for rural housing in Nigeria?

1.3  AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The aim of the study is to examine the problem of rural housing in Nigeria. To achieve this aim the under listed objectives are set to be pursued.

i.             To identify the types of houses within the study

To eRural housing condition.

ii.           To examine the types of infrastructural facilities within the study area.

iii.          To examine the problem associated with rural housing and provide and appropriate recommendation to the problem.

1.4 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

 The disciplinary scope of this study is to examine the magnitude of rural housing problem in Nigeria.

 While the spatial scope is to cover the Igbowu area of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

There are many constraints, which limit the extent to which the research for this project ought to have been carried out.

i.             Inadequate information: The information collected was not enough during the research because some of the people in the study area due to non-educated they refuse to disclose certain information for the project work. However, we have to enlighten and persuade them to disclose certain information which is necessary for the success of the dissertation.

ii.           Some of the respondents felt reluctant to give answers to some of the question thrown to them while some were against the inspection of their compounds.

iii.          Inadequate facilities: Because Igbowu is located with low income earner there are inadequate infrastructural facilities and amenities.

1.5  SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

  Housing being universally accepted as one of the basic needs of individuals as the second after food that is most important and essential in human life.

The problem of rural housing in the study area is based on the various factors that serve as impediments to the successful implementation of housing policies and programmes in rural area.

Housing is considered the most important factor of rural area problem in Nigeria. Adequate housing therefore the first requirement for a new develop area in any nation.

This is because, there are so many problems associated with rural housing development, such as water supply, adequate and effective buildings, in the study area, there are some mud structure of building presently which suppose not to be so.

The importance housing delivery is stressed by Agboola (1998), who asserted tat, without a well organized and efficient housing mechanism, the goals of rural housing development policy will be largely in attainable.

1.6  DEFINITION OF TERMS

Housing: According to Fenice (1986) he believed that housing is a wide subject which is difficult to define all embracing terms, he defined housing as a major human need which traditionally is the collective responsibility of the society, thus reflects the culture and standard of living of people and a national and constitutes historical evidence of civilization.

Housing market: According to Olufemi (1993) he said housing market is a mechanism for supply houses once Hartson (1986) also defined housing market as a physical area within a local housing units are linked up in a chain of substitution where every dwelling unit within a local housing market can be considered as a substitute to every other unit in term of the shape and the size.

Housing maintenance: This refers to a calculated attempt to support, sustain or uphold a given property, it helps to ensure that the house and the high standard facilities provided for the housing layouy during the design do not deteriorate so as to maintain it’s aesthetic. In order too ensure workability of housing and its facilities there is need for maintenance.

Housing unit: A housing unit which is also known as a dwelling unit, is a living space occupied by a household while a household simplify means a person or group of person living together under the same roof or in the same building or compound (Fenice, 1986).

Housing density: This refers to the number of houses per unit space, it can also be refers to as the population of people per unit area in the housing area. Housing density provides the framework for monitoring the intensity of land and under utilization of space (Olatunbosun, 1975).

Housing stock: This is number of existing housing units within a geographical area at a particular period of time. It is determined largely by the addition of new housing units as well as the maintenance f the existing ones (Agboola, 1998).