WAREHOUSE DEVELOPMENT DYNAMICS IN OFFA: IDENTIFICATION, DETERMINANT AND SUPPLY RATES

ABSTRACT Warehousing activities involve the storage of goods on a large-scale in a systematic and orderly manner and making them available conveniently when needed. The research investigates the trends of warehouse development in Offa, Kwara State. Like in most other developing countries and major cities, warehouse development in the study area remains a difficult task, especially with its ever increasing population. The data collected were analyzed descriptive and with weighted mean score. Based on the research questions in this study, the result showed that the demand and supply dynamics, economic factors and geographic location are the factors affecting rate of supply of warehouses in Offa, Kwara State. It was also revealed that 1 warehouse was built in 2017, another in 2018; followed by 2 warehouse structures built in 2020. The last in the series was built in 2021 to account for the five (5) structures existing in the study area. Lastly, the findings show that the owners (operator) start using the warehouse immediately after they were built which are 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2021. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that since location impacts the availability of warehouses, there should be areas with good connectivity and easy accessibility to people. Economic stability and growth in industries can leads to increase in demand for warehouse space. The availability of suitable land for warehouse development and reasonable cost of land acquisition can equally impact warehouse supply. A favorable regulatory environment supporting commercial development can encourage warehouse construction and increase supply. The availability and quality of infrastructure such as roads, utilities, and telecommunication can impact warehouse supply while fluctuations in market demand for goods and services can influence the need for warehouse space.