1.1 Introduction
Housing is recognized in the world wide as one of the basic necessities of life. As every normal adult is expected to have a house both for himself and his family, but due to economic hardship being experience in the country, this basic necessity of life no longer affordably by greater majority of Nigerians various housing policies and programmes have always been partial if not a failure. It is in this context that the research has decided to carry out a survey work on the role of government in solving housing problem.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Housing is recognized world-wide as one of the basic necessites of life and a pre requisite to survival of man (Onibokun, 1983; united Nations 1992, Saln (1990). A house is a place in which it provides sheltes, refuge, comfort, security, and dignity. The housing industry can be a stimulus to national economy (onibokun, 1983). A house also provides the physical framework in which human, social economic and cultural resources are realized and integrated. In the traditional African setting in particular housing is infact, one of the greatly cherished material properties. This is because of the other functions that a house performs in the traditional society includes the protection of family cohesion and values, taking care of the aged through the protection of the ancestral values, among others.
Over year now, Owerri urban has been witnessing sporadic increase in population which gave rise to rapid high demand of housing. The inability of the government to meet housing needs through the housing programs it introduced at different times at various levels of government coupled with the shambles of the city made it very difficult for citizens to afford adequate, accepted and conducive housing accommodation and it also gave rise to irregular housing developments.
Irregular settlements also have become so pervasive that they seem to outnumber legally, planned development, and their social legitimacy appears to be no longer in question. Unfortunately, the appalling environmental conditions associated with informal sector activities and settlements constitute a major threat to he health and wellbeing of Owerri urban life. The weaknesses of government planning controls and the haphazard developments associated with the informal sector have created disorderly and unhealthy urban environments.
Therefore, in Federal Capital Territory Abuja where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to evaluate the Housing Estates in Kubwa.
1.3 Statement of Problems
There is a shortage of legally planned housing in F.C.T. Abuja urban, which impacts on the opportunities and choices for the people. Without a range of suitable properties within a city, it is difficult to encourage sustainable community and maintain a urban, living country side. Developing a well-planned housing is one of the crucial issues that influences the economic and social strength of urban communities, and is a major contributor to long-term community sustainability.
There is also challenge of how to support and regulate the housing development in Owerri urban in order to promote employment, productivity, and income for the poor, and at the same time ensure a safe, healthy and socially acceptable environment. Informal sector enterprises, especial those located in residential areas, pose real health hazards for the urban community, particularly for the urban poor who can least afford the high cost health care.
Also there is problem of how to contain the adverse environmental impacts of many of the activities caused by the informal housing situation in F.C.T. Abuja urban without disrupting livelihoods, and causing social distress.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to evaluate the Housing Estates in Kubwa, Federal Capital Territory Abuja, using Housing Indicators. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To know the Housing Estates situation in Kubwa.
- To assess how people cope with housing situation in the study area.
- To examine the government intervention towards housing estate provision in Kubwa.
- To know the factors that are frequently responsible for the housing need in Kubwa urban.
- To assess the informal sector in housing estate development in Kubwa.
- To suggest and recommend steps to be taken in solving the problems.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are you aware about the Housing Estates situation in Kubwa?
- Does the government intervene towards housing estate provision in Kubwa?
- How do people cope with housing situation in the study area?
- What are the factors that are frequently responsible for the housing need in Kubwa urban?
- What are the informal sectors in housing estate development in Kubwa?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
- H0: There are no significant factors responsible for Housing Estates need in Kubwa urban
- H1: There are significant factors responsible for Housing Estates need in Kubwa urban
1.7 Significance of Study
The study is relevant in determining residents’ housing satisfaction. Government policy should specify standard building features of dwelling units. The architectural designs and planning processes of many public housing estates seem not to take into cognizance the need for adequate spaces, proper ventilation, and number of rooms that would adequately meet residents’ socio-economic status and family sizes that are in tandem with their cultural characteristics.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Evaluation of Housing Estates in Kubwa, Federal Capital Territory Abuja, using Housing Indicators.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- 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).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Housing: Housing is the total unit of shelter and it’s environmental which gives man better quality of life. The term environment in this regard comprises of three groups and this includes natural aspect of environment includes air, water, vegetable and everything natural endowed to man.
Government: is broadly defined as the administrative group people with authority to govern a political state. Government is the means by which store policy is enforced, as well as the mechanism for determining the policy of the state.
