Federal Government Set To Phase Out Mud Houses – Minister

The Federal Government is developing a draft action for the phasing out of mud houses across the country.

The minister of science and technology, Dr Ogbannaya Onu, disclosed this on Saturday during a visit to the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute, Nnewi, Anambra state.

He said this would be made possible through research that would bring about cheap building materials that would enable Nigerians have affordable decent houses.

It’s the desire of this government to give Nigerians decent living conditions. That’s why we are charging NBRRI to go into research that would be felt at the grassroots.

“A research that would enhance employment opportunities; decent houses and decent lives for Nigerians.The government of President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to making a positive difference in these areas.

The minister, who said the phasing out of mud houses might not be achieved immediately, maintained that it was an ideal thing to do.

He assured staffers of the NBRRI, Nnewi, of more commitment of his ministry to boost their activities and welfare, while tasking them to be committed to researches that would enhance use of local materials.

“We can’t continue to import; because to do so is to export jobs.

He said efforts were being made to revise school curricular in the country to encourage skills in constructions, noting that the trend whereby most construction works in the country were done by foreigners was unacceptable.

At the National Foundry Development and Training Centre, Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of the state, the minister regretted that foundry tools brought to the institute 18 years ago had not been put to use.

“This is not acceptable to this government. We must make use of this place under this administration, the minister stated.

He assured that the erosion problems in Anambra state must be tackled, saying that was one of the reasons for trying to reinforce NBBRI.