Why cheap prefab houses remain unpopular in Zambia

DESPITE being regarded as a cheaper and faster alternative to conventional construction, prefabricated housing remains uncommon among Zambians, raising questions about the challenges limiting its adoption.

Last year, Government established a concrete-making plant as part of efforts to promote the construction initiative and expand its use across the country. However, the technology has yet to gain significant traction in Zambia.

Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times (ZBT), Infra World Construction Director Lucky Musukuma said lack of adequate public sensitisation and training remains one of the major obstacles to the adoption of prefabricated housing.

“There has not been enough training and also some of the materials use cranes, and the hiring of cranes is costly compared to traditional construction,” Musukuma said.

He said crane hire is charged on an hourly basis, while transportation and other logistics associated with prefabricated construction can further increase costs.

Musukuma also criticised the role of regulators, arguing that institutions such as the National Council for Construction (NCC) and Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) have not done enough to popularise the technology.

Article by Samuel Mutale