By Echeburu Oby
looking at the daily increase of the Nigerian population, not forgetting the long drawn issue of the housing deficit which is more than 17 million units. The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc in Nigeria and on the world, in an attempt to control the spread of the virus in the country, states at one time or the other has been placed on lockdown disrupting supply chains and daily life which led to the suspension of normal business activity. We can obviously say that Nigeria as a whole isn’t ready to fight this virus the right way.
It is impossible to think that the lockdown and social distancing will work in a country like Nigeria, where over 17million people or more do not have a roof over their heads not to mention of a decent accommodation.
COVID-19 is having a massive impact on construction projects in the country, reviewing a press letter released by the CBN governor Godwin Emefiele which was titled “Turning the covid-19 tragedy into a new opportunity for Nigeria”, it is evident to say there has been no circulation of cash in the country which has led to putting most construction sites and companies on hold.
The vast majority of people outside of the formal system are hit devastatingly by the lockdown, most Artisans are all jobless because construction sites and the rest we have are closed down which has put people on the street in a bid to find a means to feed not minding the pandemic. Going by the situation of things in the country, it is impossible for real estate developers to be able to provide adequate housing for the masses that are in utmost need of them.
Speaking with one victor ogudu that sells building materials at kubwa modern market, when asked how the pandemic has affected his business “he said things have been difficult because people no longer patronize him because construction sites are not working and it’s really affected life in general because he needs money to feed his family and in a matter of months his rent will expire, not knowing if his landlord will understand with him that business has been poor that’s why he can’t save up for his rent.
We also went further to speak with another man that prefers to be anonymous, stated that due to corona virus and the borders been closed, he can’t import more goods and that has led to the increase in price of their old stocks which people are not even buying in other words things are bad because supply chains have been severely disrupted.
