Due to high cost of iron rods: Engineers now build with bamboo

Nigeria's tough economy forces builders to get creative

Nigeria's struggling economy is making it difficult to find basic necessities, and building materials are no exception. The high cost of iron rods, traditionally used for building support structures, is causing many problems.

Some people are delaying construction projects altogether, hoping for lower prices later. Others are selling unfinished buildings because they can't afford to complete them.

But some builders are finding innovative solutions. They are using bamboo, a fast-growing and readily available plant, as a substitute for iron rods in pillars and floors. While bamboo isn't as strong as iron, it can be a cheaper alternative, especially when combined with some metal reinforcement.

This trend is worrying some engineers. They fear that buildings constructed with bamboo may be weaker and more prone to collapse. Additionally, the rising cost of building materials is hurting construction companies' profits and leading to worker payment issues.

The high cost of iron rods has also driven up the price of bamboo, though it remains a cheaper option overall. People in the bamboo industry are hopeful that the government will take steps to address the rising cost of building materials.

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