An Evaluation of Post-Reclamation Management for Housing Development in Nigeria

Abstract

Globalization brought about changes to reclamation as a practice, the impact is now being felt beyond the construction stage. Research has revealed that poor attention is given to post-reclamation management of these lands and has resulted into poor serviceability. Little or no post-construction management and maintenance budgets has become the order of the day for the government reclaimed lands and properties on it. Drainage problems, flooding and general wetness of top surrounding soil are ranked as the most pertinent consequences of poor maintenance. These, coupled with outright neglect, delay in executing repairs is seen as factors responsible for the impaired serviceability. Owing to the fact that the variables for evaluating post-reclamation management are physically measurable, observation schedule was employed to help in taking cognizance of the physical characteristics of residential buildings in the study zone, while descriptive survey method was used in selecting the study sites. It is also noteworthy that 3-sites which are reclaimed for residential purposes was considered for the study. This was done on the basis that they share similar but yet distinct properties. The study shows that lands obtained through this means require greater maintenance attention than naturally occurring lands, so as to prevent excessive degradation.