A Study Of the Performance of Small and Medium Scale Industry and Housing Provision in Delta State

Abstract

This paper examines the performance of small and medium scale industries and the provision of housing in Delta State. The role that small and medium scale industries are expected to play in actualizing housing goals and objectives of the people of Delta State and the economic and social well-being of its people. The challenges being faced by the sector which are likely to constrain its performance and capacity to contribute in order to achieve its expectations. The paper reveals that in spite of housing provision effort made since the creation of Delta State 27 years ago shortage in both quantitative and qualitative dimensions had never seized to be the major palaver especially as its affects the small and medium scale industries. The small and medium industries however achieved remarkably as some of its prowess can be seen in the likes of junior military quarters in Okpanam road standing as a vibrant village of itself, which is a legacy. The small and medium scale industries had also immensely reduced the housing issues by the low housing construction charges, which had made the low-income earners own their own structures. The paper concluded that the small and medium scale industries has tremendous role to play in both performance and provision of housing to the Delta State citizens and its environs. Therefore, there is need for combined effort of both the government and the small and medium scale industries: rudimentary building technology; land ownership right; well articulated housing policies; encouragement of financial institutions and building societies; encourage production of affordable and quality building materials locally.