The New Era of Housing - by Esther Omemu

With the blaring alarm that the world we live in is going to end and all the apocalypse, world-ending movies will become a reality, countries and individuals became more environmentally conscious, making the ‘green’ version of everything and anything. Some countries started banning plastic bags and containers, some companies began to invest in more eco-friendly and sustainable materials for production, and others started recycling and practicing zero waste…we have even gotten to the point of making organic food and as someone who spent most of her life working with ENACTUS, an organization focused on making sustainable social ventures to create a better world, this is very exciting news for me. It will be even more exciting when this new wave of environmental consciousness begins to spread across various sectors, serving as premium solutions and a lifestyle for the future. In other news however, amongst all the aspects of life that have been positively impacted by this ‘green-ness’, one sector that I think will make a mind-blowing influence on a country especially third world countries that still struggle with providing basic amenities is housing….and here’s why ‘As the economy continues to bite harder, over 30 percent of Nigerians, translating to nearly 62 million people are now facing serious housing challenges’ - Vanguard This is why when I stumbled upon the idea of shipping container homes, it felt like I struck a gold mine and I am using this platform to increase the volume on it because this is something we need desperately in Nigeria. So what’s the big deal about shipping container homes? It is simple A shipping container home is a livable space produced from cargo containers which are huge reusable multi-purpose compartments used in transporting merchandise by sea. They can also be used for office spaces, short lets, hostel accommodations, shops, workstations, salons, kiosks, bars, gyms, cafes, etc. This new form of housing is an alternative construction method that is strong, portable, easy and quick to construct, cheaper, and most importantly, eco-friendly. A typical shipping container home is made from recyclable materials and can cost as low as 450,000 naira. It is also about 20-40% faster to build and is designed to be exposed to heavy loads, and regular rough handling, which perfectly solves safety concerns. Containers are the strongest structure available–stronger than wood, concrete, and even regular steel buildings. They are resistant to every type of natural calamity, including tornadoes, earthquakes, and even hurricanes, whether they are single units or a network of connected units. Teak and birch, two heavy-duty hardwoods, are used in the construction of the lower levels. So if you are worried about lifespan, you can be rest assured that they can withstand harsh weather conditions and salt water and have a very long lifespan. With the housing sector challenged by affordability issues, the rising cost of building materials, the difficult process of accessing land for housing, and hardly a structured mortgage sector the adoption of container technology will provide great economic, environmental, and sustainable solutions to housing in Nigeria. Imagine how many Nigerians will finally be able to afford their own homes and how the containers that would normally be abandoned and constitute a nuisance to the environment can be upcycled to create affordable living. This really is something that both the Nigerian government and individuals can begin to invest in and push the agenda for in order for this nation to not only achieve some of the SDG goals but provide basic amenities for its people. Until next time!

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