Environmental factors influencing construction time and cost overruns on high-rise project in nigeria

Project Abstract

Environmental factors play a significant role in influencing construction time and cost overruns on high-rise projects in Nigeria. This research aims to identify and analyze these environmental factors and their impact on the successful delivery of high-rise construction projects in the Nigerian context. The study will focus on factors such as weather conditions, geological characteristics, soil conditions, and ecological considerations that can lead to delays and additional costs during the construction phase. Weather conditions in Nigeria, characterized by heavy rainfall and extreme heat, can significantly impact construction activities, leading to project delays and increased costs. Geological characteristics of the project site, including the presence of rocks, soil types, and topography, can also influence the construction process. Poor soil conditions, such as expansive clay soils or loose sandy soils, can pose challenges for foundation design and construction, leading to potential delays and cost overruns. Ecological considerations, such as the presence of protected species or environmental regulations, can add complexity to high-rise construction projects in Nigeria. Compliance with environmental regulations and the need to protect natural habitats can result in additional time and costs for project developers. By conducting a thorough analysis of these environmental factors and their impact on high-rise construction projects in Nigeria, this research aims to provide valuable insights for project stakeholders, including developers, contractors, and government agencies. Understanding the potential challenges posed by environmental factors can help in better planning and risk management to mitigate the impact of these factors on project timelines and budgets. The findings of this research can contribute to the development of strategies and best practices for addressing environmental challenges in high-rise construction projects in Nigeria. By identifying key environmental factors that influence construction time and cost overruns, stakeholders can improve project outcomes and enhance the overall sustainability of high-rise developments in the country. Overall, this research will enhance understanding of the complex interactions between environmental factors and construction project performance, with a specific focus on high-rise projects in Nigeria. By shedding light on these critical issues, this study seeks to support the successful delivery of high-rise construction projects in Nigeria and contribute to the growth and development of the construction industry in the country.

Project Overview

<p> </p><p><strong>Introduction</strong></p><p>Construction time: The Nigerian construction industry contributes less to the country’s economy than do manufacturing or other service industries. Of®cially, construction accounted for only 5.5% of the annual gross domestic product (GDP) in 1993 (Langdon, 1994). However, the growth of the Indonesian construction industry has greatly in¯ uenced the country’s economic development. As de®ned in developed countries (Hillebrandt, 1985), con- struction is considered unique in that it can stimulate the growth of other industrial sectors. Hence to consider growth of the construction industry in terms of its contribution to GDP in isolation is somewhat misleading: that is, to do so understates the crucial role played by construction. Therefore, improving construction ef®- ciency by means of cost-effectiveness and timeliness would certainly contribute to cost savings for the country as a whole. Effort directed to cost and time- effectiveness were associated with managing time and cost, which in this study was approached via investigating time and cost overruns of high-rise construction in Nigeria.</p><p>Like developing countries, such as Nigeria (Okpala and Aniekwu, 1988; Elinwa and Buba, 1993;<br>Mans®eld et al., 1994), Saudi Arabia (Assaf et al., 1995) and Malaysia (Yong, 1988), Indonesia suffers from construction time and cost overruns. The intentions<br>of this paper therefore are:</p><p>1. to identify variables in¯ uencing construction time and cost overruns;<br>2. to group these variables into factors;<br>3. to analyse the relationship of these factors and thereby enhance understanding of construction delays and cost overruns. Although the research concentrates on Nigeria, the ®ndings should be relevant to all developing countries, as they face similar problems in terms of time and cost overruns on construction and infrastructural development projects (Morris and Hough, 1987). Construction Management and Economics (1997) 15, 83±94 Factors in¯ uencing construction time and cost overruns on high-rise projects in Nigeria</p><p><strong>Causes of time and cost overruns</strong></p><p>According to Antill and Wood head (1989), time over runs<br>(delays) can be divided into three categories:<br>1. those over which neither party to the contract has any control;<br>2. those over which the construction owner (or his/her representative) has control;<br>3. those over which the contractor (or any subcontractor) has control.<br>It is generally recognized that delays of type 1 are part of the contractor’s normal and legitimate monetary<br>risk, and hence should give neither party grounds for monetary recompense, but that the contract com- pletion date should be extended in order to protect contractors from liquidated damages claims for late &nbsp;completion. Alternatively, in the extreme a contract may be repudiated due to `frustration’. It is also recog- nized that for delays of type 2 the contractor should receive fair and reasonable recompense (cost and time), whereas for type 3 delays the contractor must bear full responsibility.</p><p>&nbsp;</p> <br><p></p>