for Residential Real Estate Projects
in Ozoro, Delta State
FEATURED PAPER
By Dr. Christian Osita IFEDIORA and Dr. Chukwudi Louis IGWENAGU
Department of Estate Management
Southern Delta University
Ozoro, Nigeria
Abstract
Studies on development control and enforcement of minimum standards most times reveal complex landscape of challenges and opportunities. This work focused on the challenges of development control and enforcement of minimum standards in residential real estate projects in Ozoro Delta State Nigeria. The noted the need for effective development control and enforcement of minimum standards. It combined both qualitative and quantitative approaches in data analysis. The population for this study consists of residents, developers, and local authority officials in Ozoro where a sample size of 121 respondents was selected using a combination of random sampling and purposive sampling techniques. The findings indicate that the current development control framework in Ozoro is guided by national laws and regulations, includes zoning regulations and building codes, and is enforced by local government authorities. However, the effectiveness of this framework is disputed, with very small percentage of respondents holding a strongly positive view of its effectiveness. The study identifies significant challenges facing development control. These challenges are ranked highly in terms of importance. The study recommends strengthening the institutional capacity, enhancement of transparency and accountability as well as increase funding and resources.
Keywords: Development Control, Minimum Standards, Projects, Real Estate and Residential
1.0 Introduction
There is a dire need for development control and enforcement of minimum standards in residential real estate projects, and this cannot be overstated. There no gain saying the fact that minimum standards are put in place for the purpose of ensuring that real estate projects are safe, healthy as well as sustainable. In addition to the foregoing, that they do not pose threat to the environment or cause harm to the community. Even with these standards many residential real estate projects still fail in terms of adherence to them, and in turn result to substandard buildings may likely poses serious consequences for occupants and the environment. The issue that bothers on non-adherence to minimum standards appears to be more in communities that are witnessing rapid urbanisation and growth.
Ozoro is a growing town in Delta State, Nigeria and believed to have experienced significant development in recent years; these developments seem to have been driven by its growing economic activities. The town Ozoro is home to the Southern Delta University Ozoro now Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, which attracts students from all over the country. More so, there appears to be rapid urbanization and population growth in Ozoro, Delta State, in turn has led to a surge in residential real estate development, transforming the town’s landscape. One could also say that as a result, there is a high demand for residential accommodation, leading to the proliferation of residential real estate projects.
There has been concern over the quality and safety of these residential real estate developments which has been developed over time in response to the rapid urbanisation and growth in respect to the development of control and enforcement of minimum standards. The important of development control cannot be over overemphasized at this point, (Akinluyi et al., 2020), there is need to ensure that residential real estate projects meet minimum standards. They should provide safe as a well as ensure environments where the occupants’ lives are healthy.
Even with the positive of development control on residential real estate development, the local authorities in Ozoro appears to be facing appreciable challenges in ensuring compliance with minimum standards. The challenges are not limited the issues bothering on inadequacy in terms of institutional capacity, (Ulasi et al., 2020), the lack in efficiency of enforcement mechanisms, (Ugonabo et al., 2023), the issues bothering on corruption as well perceived limitation in terms of public awareness and participation, (ED & YM, 2020). These challenges appear to have resulted to the development of substandard residential real estate projects and these pose significant threat to the health, safety as well as the well-being of occupants.
It based on the foregoing that this research is aims to investigate the challenges of development control and enforcement of minimum standards in the case of residential real estate projects in Ozoro, Delta State. The objectives of the study are; to identify the cases of residential real estate projects that did not adhere to the minimum standard, examine the current development control framework and enforcement mechanisms in Ozoro, identify the challenges facing local authorities in enforcing minimum standards in residential real estate projects and to assess the impact of non-compliance with minimum standards on occupants and the environment.
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How to cite this paper: Ifediora, C. O., Igwenagu, C. L. (2025). Challenges of Development Control and Enforcement of Minimum Standards for Residential Real Estate Projects in Ozoro, Delta State; PM World Journal, Vol. XIV, Issue X, October. Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/pmwj157-Ifeadora-Igwenagu-Challenges-of-Enforcement-of-Standards-for-Residential-Real-Estate-Projects-1.pdf
About the Authors
Dr. Christian Osita Ifediora
Ozoro, Delta State, Nigeria
Dr. Christian Osita Ifediora, ND, BSc, MSc, PhD, MNIVS, RSV, (Nigeria) holds a National Diploma in Estate Management from Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State, B.Sc. (Estate Management), M.Sc. Estate Management (Project Management) and PhD in Estate Management with specialisation in Project Management from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State. He a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Estate Management, Southern Delta University Ozoro. He can be contacted at ifedioraco@dsust.edu.ng
Dr. Chukwudi Louis Igwenagu
Ozoro, Delta State, Nigeria
Dr. Chukwudi Louis Igwenagu is a Lecturer and an Estate Surveyor and Valuers with specialization in Asset Valuation. He holds a Doctoral, Masters and Bachelor degrees in Estate Management from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka Nigeria. He is a Member of Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (MNIVS) and a registered Estate Surveyors and Valuers (RSV).
