Thesis Abstract

Construction projects play a crucial role in the development of any country, including Nigeria. However, despite the significant investment in the construction sector in Nigeria, many projects still experience failure and abandonment. This research aims to investigate the causes of construction project failures and abandonment in Nigeria. The study will utilize a mixed-methods approach to gather data from various sources, including interviews, surveys, and document analysis. The sample will include project managers, contractors, government officials, and other stakeholders involved in construction projects in Nigeria. Some of the key factors that will be examined include poor project planning and management, inadequate funding, corruption, political interference, lack of skilled labor, poor quality control, and delays in decision-making processes. These factors have been identified in previous studies as common issues contributing to project failures in Nigeria. By identifying and analyzing these causes, the research aims to provide insights that can help improve the success rate of construction projects in Nigeria. The findings from this study can be used by government agencies, construction companies, and other stakeholders to develop strategies and policies to address the root causes of project failures and abandonment. The research also aims to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on construction project management in Nigeria. By examining the specific challenges faced by construction projects in the country, the study can provide valuable insights that can be used to improve project outcomes and ensure the successful completion of construction projects. Overall, this research seeks to shed light on the underlying causes of construction project failures and abandonment in Nigeria. By understanding these factors, stakeholders can work towards developing effective solutions to address these issues and improve the overall success rate of construction projects in the country.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Abandoned projects and construction failure including construction projects and other civil engineering infrastructure development project like houses, churches, schools, roads, bridges, dams, tunnels, air port, sea port etc. litter the whole Nigeria. Osemenan (1987) reported that Nigeria has become the “world’s junk-yard of abandoned and failed projects worth billions of naira and it is greatly unthinkable that Nigeria blessed with so great potentials in the construction projects and construction industry can experience such magnitude of project failure and abandonment. According to another report by Kotangora (1993) there are about 4000 uncompleted or abandoned project belonging to the Federal Government of Nigeria with an estimated cost of above N 300 billion which will take 30 years to complete at the present execution capacity of government, also according to him this issue of abandonment and construction project failure is been left without adequate attention for too long which is now having a multiplier effect on the construction industry in particular and the national economy as a whole.The construction projects and construction industry plays a very dominant role in the economy of any nation. A healthy economy usually experience an increase in construction projects and construction activities, but in a depressed economy, the incidence of project abandonment and construction failures tends to be more prevalent.Akindoyeni (1989) qualitatively reasoned that some of the causes of project abandonment and construction failure in Nigeria are deaths of client, inability of client to attract fund and lack of good planning.

The abandonment of development projects is the act of discontinuing any activities or maintenance works on suchdevelopment project within a time frame of the contract agreement and with no intention of returning back to thedevelopment (Spelman, 1993). Similarly, O’Flaherty (1993) while reflecting on property development projects suggest thatit is when an owner or developer is ceasing to provide the required maintenance management to a developed property. There could also be construction failure due to improper planning.

However, real property development projects being a capital intensive undertaking should be critically analyzed toascertain its feasibility and viability before embarking on it. But, on several occasions and as it had been observed,governments, contractors and agencies have abandoned development projects mid-way into construction and completion.

The causes and effects of these development projects abandonments and construction failure are not just peculiar to a particular reasonrather cut across several reasons (Ayodele and Alabi, 2011), and as well as creating a total dwindling effects on the valuesof developed properties located close and within the vicinity. The expected prominence of any earmarked developmentprojects is to be completed, while at the same time, adding values to the built environment aesthetics. Although,development projects are temporary endeavors undertaken to create a unique product and services with a defined beginningand ending date (Gardner, 2005). The accomplishment of such purposes should be realized at all times otherwise needlessof such development (Gardner, 2005). The development projects specific in the study framework is infrastructural projects(such as; house, electricity, road, schools, and drainage). However, the study purpose is to investigate and assess the causes and effects of development projectsabandonment  and construction failure in Nigeria.

1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The unceasing abandonment and failure of development projects is so shocking in the developing countries such thatNigerian has remained one of the countries in such difficulty (Ayodele and Alabi, 2011; Kotangora, 1993; Osemenan,1987). Therefore, the significance that the incessant abandonment of projects and construction failure would bring several effects on the aesthetics of the environment, real propertiesand its values and the economy cannot be overemphasized since some of the development projects provide the basicservices that should meet the needs of the people. However, this study will examine the causes of construction project failure and abandonments in Nigeria.

1.3   OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The following are the objectives of this study:

1. To examine the causes of construction project failure and abandonments in Nigeria.

2. To examine the effect of construction project failure and abandonments in Nigeria.

3. To determine the solution to the problem of construction project failure and abandonments in Nigeria.

1.4   RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What are the causes of construction project failure and abandonments in Nigeria?

2. What is the effect of construction project failure and abandonments in Nigeria?

3. What is the solution to the problem of construction project failure and abandonments in Nigeria?

1.6   SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The following are the significance of this study:

1. This study will educate the general public and the experts in the construction projects industry on the causes of construction project failure and abandonments in Nigeria with a view of proffering solution to the problem.

2. This research will also serve as a resource base to other scholars and researchers interested in carrying out further research in this field subsequently, if applied will go to an extent to provide new explanation to the topic.

1.7   SCOPE/LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This study on causes of construction project failure and abandonments in Nigeria will cover the issues of abandoned projects, failed project and all other abandoned infrastructural facilities.

LIMITATION OF STUDY

Financial constraint– Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).