Mitigating Building Plans Approval Process through e-Planning Application in Southwestern, Nigeria (Published)
In developed nations, the planning agencies and regulatory bodies endeavor to take into consideration the needs of the people by producing better housing for a better and a healthier life. This was indeed the priority of the government of Ondo State after its independence from the British. With the recent export of COVID 19 to the world, getting things done at people’s comfort becomes necessity to ensure social distancing stipulated by policy makers. This study was carried out to provide a mitigate measures for building plan approval processes in southwest, Nigeria using Ondo State as a case study. The study examined the current building plans approval processes practiced in the state Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development (MUPPUD), Akure. Random sampling method was used in selecting applicants using the number of plans approved between May to September 2023. It was observed that, it takes longer time for building plan to be approved and the client needed to visit the office to fast track the approval process. Despite the fact that applicants have access to internet facilities through the comfort of their own, none of the planning approval information is online to ensure speedy process. The study hereby focused on modernizing the process through the application of e planning in order to improve speedy approval processes, to facilitating planning activities among government officials and associates and to ensure shared centralized services that are accessible by all. With this, if all the recommendations are well address and implemented, the mode of building plan approval in the region will be quicker, easier and users friendly.
Keywords: Housing, ICTs, e-planning, plan approval, planning authority
Housing Poverty amid Abundance in Urbanizing Abuja Metropolis, Nigeria (Published)
Despite the abundance of housing estates within the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, it is particularly disturbing and ironical that the city is still rated as one of the most expensive place for housing accommodation. This has contributed in domestic poverty, lack of good homes, in which; majority of public servants and private employees does not have decent accommodations. In addition, many families are separated between States, therefore aiding corruption in their respective offices to meet up with their respective needs. The purpose of this paper is to identify the causes of un-occupied buildings amid inadequacy of housing for the poor and its effects on the city and to establish the possible data of empty flats within the city in other to aid policy directions concerning empty houses and flats in the Abuja metropolis. Data were gathered from assessment of scantly occupied and completely un-occupied housing flats within Abuja metropolis through a case study research approach which is appropriate when you are to learn the why and how a particular situation occurs according to Yin (2003). From the tabulation and percentage analysis it shows that a total of 21,239 empty flats are available un-occupied in Abuja metropolis. This study advocate a regulatory control on empty buildings in Abuja Metropolis in form of the following recommendations; that all empty houses should be converted to social housing development, Government should place heavy tax on empty houses; Government should establish an ACT for rental control and occupancy in Abuja Metropolis.
Keywords: Abuja, Abundance, Housing, Poverty, Urban
Determining the Individual Significant Contribution of Public and Private Sector in Housing Delivery in Nigeria (Published)
One of the greatest challenge confronting both rural and urban residents in Nigeria is the need to provide adequate shelter. This study examined the individual significant contribution of the public and private sector in public-private partnerships (PPP) in housing contracts in Ogun State, Nigeria. A field survey was conducted in government ministries (public sector) and some selected professionals (private sector) within the study area. Information gathered from both primary and secondary data was used to determine the significant contribution of the public and private sector in housing delivery. Questionnaires were distributed through systematic sampling method to 58 respondents in both private and public sector participating in PPP housing production in the study area. Result showed that the significant contribution of the public sector in PPP housing provision in Nigeria is the provision of land while the private sector contributes significantly high percentage of finance, manpower and technical support. The study recommended that for successful implementation of PPP housing projects, all tiers of government must strive to complement the weaknesses of the public sector with the strengths of the private sector. Furthermore, since the private sector provides bulk of the finance for PPP housing projects, government should provide a more conducive economic environment to attract more private sector investors.
Keywords: Housing, Nigeria, Public-Private Partnership (PPP), Systematic Sampling Method