Public Education on the Relationship of the Scarcity of Adequate Housing in Squatter Settlements to the Economic and Health Status of Squatters

Abstract

This paper enlightens the public on the relationship of the scarcity of adequate housing to the economic and health status of the residents of squatter settlements in Onitsha metropolis. Three (3) areas in Onitsha with squatter settlements were considered. These areas are Okpoko, Odoakpu and Fegge. Secondary and primary sources of data were used as means of getting information used for the purpose of the research work. Primary sources included Questionnaire administration, personal interview and direct observation while secondary data sources were online publications. About four hundred (400) questionnaires were distributed in the three residential areas, but only three hundred and sixty seven (367) questionnaires were duly completed utilized for analytical purpose. For the purpose of this research, the use of chi-square method for the test of the null hypothesis (H₀₎ which states that there is no significant relationship between inadequate residential areas and the economic situation of the residents in the study area was adopted. After testing the hypothesis, the result showed a calculated value of 32.53 against a table value of 0.352 at a 95% level of significance. The null hypothesis (H₀) was rejected in favour of the alternative hypothesis (H₁) which states is that there is a significant relationship between inadequate residential areas and the economic situation of the residents in the study area. It shows that most people live in squatter settlements owing to their low income earnings. Table 5.4 also reveals that squatter settlements are characterised by pollution from waste dump site and health problems.  Based on the findings, it is recommended that government should embark on massive construction of low-cost housing units that would be affordable to the low income earners in Onitsha metropolis. It should be mandatory for government at all levels to embark upon public housing programmes. The programme should integrate government’s incentives to enable families to acquire their own houses and the housing development should be monitored to meet the accepted standard of sustainable housing infrastructure. The government should also enforce a downward review of loan interest rates by mortgage banks to housing investors.

Keywords: Education, Health, Environment, Settlement, Squatters.