Archibuilt 2017: Faworaja urges FG to refocus on local market
NAN-H-80
Exhibition
By Ella Anokam and Uche Bibilari
Abuja, Aug. 22, 2017 (NAN) Mr Mohammed Faworaja, Chairman, Board of Directors, Archibuilt Development Services Limited (ADSL), has advised the Federal Government to refocus on the development of local market to boost nation’s economy.
Faworaja gave the advice at the 28th Archibuilt Exhibition and Conference on building materials in Abuja on Tuesday.
The exhibition and conference, with the theme: “Promoting the Development of Building Materials and Services for Nigeria Market’’, was organised by ADSL in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA).
He noted that in recent years Nigeria had been going through socio-economic and political challenges that led to recent recession which had exposed the vulnerability of the nation.
According to him, the recession has led to harsh living conditions in the country and resulted in full dependence on foreign goods for survival.
“Our Naira has been battered leading to low level of purchasing power of citizen.
“The housing deficit has remained largely unattended due to resultant high cost of imported building materials, therefore, making access to decent and affordable shelter a mirage to most Nigerians.
He said that this background prompted the Archibuilt 2017 Exhibition and Conference, which was aimed at refocusing and addressing major issues in the industry.
According to him, the 2017 edition will address housing finance, development of construction technologies and development to achieve green ratings for materials and buildings in Nigeria.
“ARCHIBUILT 2017 has mobilised the youths through design competition to buy into the initiative of `Go Local’, an organised ‘Architecture students’ design competition on the use of local building materials,’’ he said.1
Faworaja, a former President of NIA, tasked government to coordinate policy instruments toward identifying and processing local building materials with the view to ensuring efficient harnessing of natural resources.
Mr John Ewule, Coordinator of Archibuilt 2017, said that the event was aimed at presenting relevant technology for enhancement of manufacturing and construction processes.
Ewule added that it would promote research information in innovative local construction materials and methods to mobilise funding and investment mechanism.
According to him, it will also give room to stimulate the adoption of environment-friendly options in the design and construction of houses and public buildings.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the `Go Local’ programme to be showcase at the event is being sponsored by Ire Clay Industry, one of the major local manufacturers of building materials in Nigeria.
New improved materials such as Plascom products which include mosquito repellant paint and variety of Nigerian finishing granites will also be showcased at the event.
The exhibition dwells on environment, shelter, construction, building material and technologies. (NAN)
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Edited by Felix Nwadioha/Felix Ajide