Firm calls for offsite construction method to curb housing deficit

One of the leading manufacturers of ceramic tiles and marbles in Nigeria, West African Ceramics Ltd, has called for the adoption of the Offsite Construction Method (OCM) as a sustainable solution to curb the housing deficit and boost affordable housing.

Managing Director, West African Ceramics Ltd, Mr Bhaskar Rao, made the call recently during the 16th African International Housing Show (AIHS) held in Abuja. With: ‘Housing for All: The Role of Government in Creating an Effective Enabling Environment’, as a theme.

Managing Director, West African Ceramics Ltd, Mr Bhaskar Rao

Rao said that one of the key factors accounting for the housing deficit is that houses are not being delivered fast enough in proportion to the rate of population growth, especially in the metropolis.

“The adoption of OCM becomes imperative and a viable and sustainable alternative to provide housing for all; and to this end, we have extended our brand from ceramic-related product portfolio to light gauge steel as a deliberate effort and investment to provide alternative solutions in curbing the housing deficit in the country.”

He said that the Royal Light Gauge Steel would revolutionise building construction in the housing sector as it offers cost-effectiveness, sustainability and long-term value propositions.

Rao said the steel frames are suitable for roofing trusses and have far-reaching advantages over wooden trusses.

“Using steel frame trusses have tremendous advantages over the wooden trusses. Steel trusses are fire resistant, rigid, durable, and design flexible; which means that they offer significantly enhanced design opportunities because they can be designed and engineered for longer spans; span long lengths and distance than wooden trusses; and does not require chemical treatment unlike the wooden trusses,” he stressed.

Shedding light on the product, the lead architect of the company, Amaka Onyiuke, said offsite construction systems are computer designed and pre-engineered in a factory.

“The complete structure of the building is prefabricated in the form of ready-to-install insulated panels, which are joined together with lightweight steel profiles; assembly is fast and uncomplicated and does not require specialist tools or knowledge. Completed buildings are packed in component format and delivered direct to the site location by vehicle,” she said.

Highlighting the value propositions of OSM, Onyiuke listed as follows fast, customised, and scalable construction solution; affordable, flexible, secure, easy home and commercial complexes built with steel look better, perform better, and provide a better environment for inhabitants; fast build time guarantees return on investment is optimised on the notion that “Time is Money”; highly resistant to high winds and earthquakes; high insulation values save heating and cooling costs low carbon footprint, and lastly provides a considerable advantage in terms of maintenance and replacement expenses.

“As a market leader, we are committed to serving the needs of the built environment and we will not relent in creating ways that can improve our operations and streamline our processes; and adopt new tools and technologies to serve our market and expand our reach,” she concluded.