AN ASSESSMENT OF HOUSING MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS IN IKOT EKPENE

AN ASSESSMENT OF HOUSING MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS IN IKOT EKPENE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1    Background of the Study

This research was carried out to ascertain the various problems in maintaining a housing property in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. The research was based on private houses in Ikot Ekpene.

Many people consider housing as an unproductive sector of an economy. Consequently, investment in housing and maintenance are low. As incomes from industrial and commercial building are higher than those of the residential houses, concentration of land lords is on industrial and commercial building while residential building are neglected. Substandard housing results as a reflection of slum situation. It is observed that many landlords have shifted the responsibility of maintaining their properties to the tenants. In Ikot Ekpene, the tenants on the other hand having paid their rents, views housing maintenance as the responsibility of the landlord. The landlords who in most instances do not live with the tenants are reluctant to maintain such houses and when this neglect, it continuous over time, it result to blighted housing condition.

If the cheap houses, constructed by the land owner for the purpose of collecting rents are not properly maintained, the condition favouring formation of the slums may develop (Stein et al., 1974). In Ikot Ekpene, financial incapability of dwellers; the low income earners are more concerned with how to feed than any other thing. Thus, poverty is one of the factors responsible for the formation of housing maintenance problem. These persons are well to do and aspired for better housing situation. Because every facilities has an estimated useful life and this is true of urban centres like Ikot Ekpene main town and their houses and facilities. When an area is not well maintained the structure and the general environment deteriorate (Chapin, 1972). For instance the roofs of buildings may rust, leak and even cave in, the doors and window may rot and the walls get quite dirty and even crack. Sheet erosion  may affect that foundation  of building. These situation lead to slum or poor maintenance.

1.2    Statement of the Problem

There are some problems with adversely affect the effective housing maintenance, which has been observed in Ikot Ekpene, the old designs is not flexible enough to accommodate new technological changes. Poor quality of the original constructions as a result of inferior building materials, couple with poor design and low level of technology produce on urban area. When the poor or inferior materials are used in construction, they easily deteriorate due to the vagaries of weather and other factors, and thus enhance the process of blight.

Therefore, the problem of housing maintenance is that, they do not use good materials for the building construction and also poverty is one of the factors responsible for the housing maintenance problems in Ikot Ekpene.

1.3    Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of this research is to know the problems of housing maintenance in Ikot Ekpene.

The objectives of this research are:

1. To determine the problems in housing maintenance
2. To create awareness to housing managers.

• To identify the possible solution of housing maintenance problems.

1.4    Scope of the Study

The main focus of this research is to identify the problems in maintaining housing in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

1.5    Significance of the Study

By the end of this research, it is hoped to point out the major problems of housing maintenance and the possible solution to be employed in maintaining these houses in order to eliminate these problems.

The research will also serve as a yardstick to most housing owners who refuse to hand over the job of maintenance to a specialist who is more skillful in housing maintenance.

This research work will also point out that proper education and orientation should be carried out by Nigerian institution of Estate Surveyors and valuers (NIESV) for stakeholders in housing maintenance business to eradicate these problems.

The research can also serve as a reference work to students who will like to enhance on research of this area in future.

1.6    Research Questions

1. What are the determination of housing problems maintenance problems?
2. How does the housing maintenance problems create awareness to housing managers?

• How can we identify the possible solution for the problems of housing maintenance

1.7        Study Area

This study covered Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State with political and cultural capital of the Annang ethic group in Nigeria (Nair, 2003). The town is located on the A342 high way that parallels the coast, between Calabar to the South and Aba to the West, with the State Capital, Uyo on the road first the East.

Umuahia is the next major town to the North it situated by the regional centre of commerce, with notable exports of palm products, especially palm oil, kernels, raffia products including raffia fibers and it sweet wine, as well as ground crops of yams, cassava, taro, and corn. Traditionally, the population is made up primarily of the Annang people with a small number of Igbo trader and Hausa Suga Vendors. Hence, act as the most significant area of exportation to include basket weaving sculpture, and most well notable emerging has one of the municipal centres in the state of Akwa Ibom.