A Systems Approach to Housing Delivery in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Housing has been described as an unstructured, complex, multi-dimensional phenomenon and its delivery as an important social policy issue. However, housing delivery in Nigeria is enmeshed in a myriad of perennial problems: huge housing deficits; acute shortages; overcrowding; high costs of building, renting and maintenance of houses. These are the outcomes of the extant policy driven persistently by the provisions approach frameworks that largely depend on implementation theory and political will, as such are not adequate, inefficient or unsustainable. The aim of this study therefore, was to develop an alternative delivery and management framework which would be more effective than the existing policy approaches in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The objectives of the study were to examine the status of housing delivery in the FCT; examine the policy frameworks of the extant Nigerian National Policy of 1991; evaluate the policy influence on the stakeholders' participation and performance in housing delivery in the FCT; develop a framework for housing delivery and management in the FCT based on a Systems Approach and validate the framework predicatively for adoption. The study adopted a pragmatic philosophy and deductive approach to enquiry and a macro-view of the systems approach. Primary data were collected from a pilot survey and structured questionnaires. Secondary data were also collected from relevant documented literature. Data were collated, processed and analysed using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences Version 21. The analysis of variance, was used for relationships and t-test was used for associations of relationships of the variables of the components of housing delivery. The study revealed that the perennial housing problems in the FCT, Abuja have had an inadequate (hollow) policy driven by ad-hoc housing provisions framework, lacking in understanding of the complex phenomenon of housing and its delivery, with no systemic links, no inclusiveness of stakeholders and without management of the frameworks of components of housing hence, affirming that delivery is not adequate, inefficient and unsustainable. A systemic housing delivery framework, modified from the Innorisk Framework and the van Wyk Development Management Process concept was developed, the Systems Approach PICHparadigm framework and was validated. It recommended that the framework be adopted and implemented in the FCT, Abuja and by extension, Nigeria. The study also recommended that a stand-alone Ministry of Housing; National Housing Council; a Housing Construction Industry Development Board, a platform for practice; and a national data bank for housing information management, research and development be established without delay.