LOCAL PRODUCTION CAN REDUCE NIGERIA’S CONSTRUCTION COSTS – CHIME

Nigeria can significantly reduce the cost of construction by increasing local production of building materials and reducing dependence on imported inputs, a construction industry stakeholder, Chime, has said.

Chime said the high cost of construction materials, transportation, energy, and other inputs has continued to make housing and infrastructure projects more expensive across the country.

He argued that greater investment in local manufacturing would help reduce production and transportation costs while creating jobs and strengthening domestic industries.

According to him, Nigeria has the raw materials and human resources required to produce many of the construction materials currently imported into the country.

He urged the government to create policies that would encourage manufacturers to expand production and make locally produced materials more competitive.

Chime also called for improved access to affordable financing, reliable electricity, better transportation networks, and other infrastructure needed to support manufacturers.

Industry stakeholders said increasing local production could reduce pressure from foreign exchange fluctuations, which often affect the prices of imported construction materials.

They also noted that a stronger domestic manufacturing base would improve supply reliability and support the growth of Nigeria’s housing and infrastructure sectors.

Experts stressed that government support should focus not only on increasing production but also on ensuring that locally manufactured materials meet required quality and safety standards.

Chime said reducing construction costs through local production would make housing more affordable and help accelerate infrastructure development.

He urged policymakers and private-sector operators to work together to build a stronger local construction materials industry.