‘Fuel costs, poor regulation stifling construction sector’

The technical adviser, 7Fifteen Capital Limited, Emeka Azuh, has warned that escalating fuel costs and weak regulatory enforcement are undermining the growth and sustainability of the construction industry, driving up project expenses and creating uncertainty for developers and contractors.

He stated this at the fifth edition of Big 5 Construct Nigeria, held at the Landmark Centre in Lagos.

He emphasised the importance of government action in shaping a more resilient construction industry.

He said, “Some policies already exist that can positively benefit the industry, but the key challenge is implementation. For those that do not exist, we must be conscious of developing or reviewing what we have in ways that can positively impact the industry.”

Azuh pointed to fuel costs as a direct and indirect driver of construction expenses and called for stronger regulatory bodies.

“In some countries, building codes are embedded into law, so contractors know exactly what must be followed. Giving our regulators similar strength will be a big step forward.”

He also dismissed concerns about Nigeria’s capacity, noting that local professionals are performing up to standard and, in many cases, even exceed what is obtained internationally. It’s just a matter of repackaging and projecting what we already have.”

From a policy and design perspective, Patrick Ogunleye, an architect with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, urged greater attention to the health impacts of the built environment.

“Statistically, people spend more time indoors than outdoors, which means we can’t be careless about how we plan, build, and maintain our living spaces. Ventilation, natural lighting, use of safe materials, and noise reduction are critical. Otherwise, we risk compromising both physical and mental health.”

He added that poor planning, substandard materials, and inadequate maintenance are common mistakes in construction that must be addressed to ensure Nigerians live in healthier, more natural environments.

Meanwhile, Senior Vice President at DMG Events, organiser of Big 5 Construct, Josine Heigmans, told newsmen that it was the largest construction gathering for everyone in the field of construction.

Heigmans said the event was in alignment with the long-term goals of the Nigerian government to develop housing and improve infrastructure.

According to her, “it is for policymakers, architects and engineers. This is the fifth edition, and we are very pleased to have a very strong presentation from both local and international suppliers bringing the latest solutions for any part of the construction process.

“Big 5 Construct is a place where people can come to learn best practices. We have seen that there are more and more participants. This year, we have over 160 participants both locally and internationally. Some of the countries represented are Turkey, Italy, Germany, and China, to mention a few. We are here to support Nigeria’s long-term goals, be it on housing, infrastructure development or transition.

“It helps to align with the goals of the government to develop housing and improve infrastructure. Here, you can find partners to work with on a project, and you can find solutions and new technologies.”