CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1         Background of the Study

Building materials cannot be precisely defined, but it covers a wide range of materials basically used in the building construction industry. These materials vary from their natural state to those partially or completely processed in the manufacturing industries. Therefore, building materials include aggregate, bricks, timber, ceiling, cement, paint, doors, windows, roofing sheets, iron and steel product, sanitary wares, electrical fittings etc. building materials include materials components used in the building industry. 

The changes could be attributed to a number of factors such as government policies, that is, effect on modern technology which necessitated development and use of new materials and quicker methods changes in tastes of client due to need for better property development, high professional service charge etc. These factors continue to present themselves and if they are ignored as it is the case now, they will continue to pose problems on the generally of the populace because value in whatever form, be it residential, commercial or industrial. The project is aimed at assessing the relationship between the high cost of building services and residential property development and at the end of the findings, possible control measures shall be propose as recommendations.

Building services engineers are responsible for the design, installation operation and monitoring of the mechanical electrical and public health systems required for the safe, comfortable and environmentally friendly operation of modern buildings. The term building services engineers is widely used in Nigeria.

1.2         Statement of Problem

This research work is to determine the factor that led to the inflation of the market prices of building services and the attendant challenges on property development in terms of time, quantity and quality.

1.3         Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of this research work is to examine the effect of the rising costs of building services on property development in Uyo metropolis, Akwa Ibom State.

The objectives of this study are as follows:

i.              To identify the need for building services in property development

ii.            To identify the challenges of lack of suitable building services on property development.

iii.           To determine the cost of these services in relation to the cost of developing real estate.

iv.           To reconcile the rising cost of building services and property development in order to provide accommodation for the teeming population in Uyo.

1.4         Research Questions

i.              Is there any need for building services in property development?

ii.            What are the challenges of lack of suitable building services on property development?

iii.           What is the cost of these services in relation to the cost of developing real estate?

iv.           How can we reconcile the rising cost of building services and property development in order to provide accommodation for the teeming population in Uyo?

1.5         Scope of the Study

The scope of this research is limited to industrial, residential and commercial property development in Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom State, and it is limited to Uyo metropolis.

1.6         Significance of Study

Findings from this study will educate the general public on the current cost of building services in Uyo and its effect on property development in Uyo. The result of this study will sensitize the policy makers and the government on the need to make and implement policies that will reduce the rising costs of building services in Uyo metropolis, thereby encouraging massive housing development all over the state capital. This research will also serve as a resource base to other scholars and researchers interested in carrying out further research in this field subsequently.

1.7         The Study Area

Uyo is the state capital of Akwa Ibom, an oil-producing state in Nigeria. The town became the capital of the state on September 25, 1987 following the creation of Akwa Ibom State from erstwhile Cross River State. The University of Uyo is located in this town. The population of Uyo, according to the 2006 Nigeria census which comprises Uyo and Itu is 427,873 while the urban area, including Uruan is 554,906.

The city can be reached by road via the A342 highway, as well as Abak road, Nwaniba road, Calabar-Itu road, Oron road, Idoro road and Aka road. Nearby airports include Akwa Ibom International Airport at Okobo and Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar.

Uyo is a fast-growing city as it has witnessed some infrastructural growth in the past nine (9) years. It was in intensive network of road such as the IBB way, Atiku Abubakar Avenue, Udo Udoma Avenue, Nsikak Eduok Avenue and Edet Akpan Avenue which are eight lanes super-highway and currently the widest road in Uyo.

Uyo lacks modern rail infrastructure as in common in most new post colonial towns in Nigeria, taxis, buses and tricycles are the major means of transportation. Motorcycles are restricted to the city limits and tricycles are restricted from operating within 10 kilometres radius of the city centre.

Uyo is home to many notable housing districts such as the Ewet Housing Estate, Osongama Estate and Shelter Afrique. The city of Uyo is notably next and hospitable to foreigners and its aborigines. Highbrow residential in Uyo include the prestigious Ewet Housing Estate, Osongama Estate, Shelter Afrique and a host of other choice arrears in the town and its environs. The city boasts recreational areas such as the Ibom connection popularly known as “Ibom Plaza” and the prestigious Le Meridian Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, the Ibom Tropicana entertainment center. Uyo also has a green recreational park known as “Love Garden”.

Uyo is home to the University of Uyo, formerly known as the University of Cross Rivers State. Its name was changed in 1991 when the government of Nigeria established it as a federal university. It is campus in Ikpa road, permanent site main campus in Nwaniba road, UUTH/medical campus at Abak road and Ime Umana campus at Ediene Abak. Uyo also houses various secondary schools which are both public and privately owned.

 

THE MAP

1.8         Definition of Terms

Development: This is the carrying out of building engineering mining or other operations on, in, over or under the land or the making of any materials change in the use of any building or on the land.

 

Services: Building services are the utilities in a building to serve and give comfort to the occupant of the building e.g. are electrical fittings, water supply, sanitary fittings, etc.

 

Developer: By this, we mean an individual or body engage in improving quantitatively and qualitatively the supply of building or properties (Ndaji, 2003).

 

Estate: An estate is a legal entity denoting the character and quality or rights an owner posse in a property or it is an extensive area of land in the country, usually with a large house, owned by the one person, family or organization.

 

Investment: This means the tying down of money in landed property with the aim of securing future annual income or a future capital sum from the property (Mary and Richard, 2010).

 

Survey: This is the plotting and surveying or contours on map or plan.   

 

Flats: It is a block units of accommodation on one floor for a single family occupation with all the service located within the units.

 

Semi-detached Bungalow: Two units on one floor for two family occupations separated from each other by a partition wall will all services located within the units.

 

Terrace Bungalow: There are several units of accommodation still in one floor for several family occupations with all services located with the units. There are more than two bungalow jointed together.

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