Assessing the Utilization of Local Available Building Materials for Building Construction in FCT – Abuja, Nigeria

The potentials of available local building materials in Nigerian building industry remain untapped and seems to be progressing at a very slow percentage. This research therefore assessed the availability, level of usage, factors affecting the usage, the benefit of their usage and strategies to promote the use of available local building material in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja -Nigerian. Based on the extensive literature review, fifteen (15) available local building material in FCT., were identified and assessed. One hundred and forty (140) professionals closely involved with building construction in construction companies that are fully operational in FCT were examined for the assessment. Relative index analysis of the frequency in the use of available local building material for building construction in FCT., revealed that the following building materials are available and in the following order: Aggregate (1) with R.I.I. of 0.960, Timber (2) with R.I.I of 0.930, Laterite (3) with R.I.I of 0.926, Bamboo (4) with R.I.I of 0.910, Reeds (5) with R.I.I of 0.901, Rice Husk Ash (6) with R.I.I of 0.894 and among others. However, the level of usage of these materials is still low considering the economic benefits and factors associated with the use of available local building material. The research recommended more public awareness campaign and sensitization of the public on the use of available local building material in order to promote its acceptability in built environment. Creating polices to support the use of local building materials as well as intensifying research on the properties of available local building materials were also recommended as a strategy to promote the use of available local building material in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja – Nigeria.