Causes, Effect And Solution To Abandonment Of Building Projects In Osun State, Nigeria

Causes, Effect And Solution To Abandonment Of Building Projects In Osun State, Nigeria

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Definition Of Keywords

ABANDONMENT is the act of giving up on an idea or stopping an activity with no intention of returning to it (Oxford, 2005).

BUILDING is just like a shelter, which is an enclosure of space for the use and protection of mankind.

PROJECT is a unique Endeavour to produce a set of deliverables within a clearly specified time, cost and quality constraints (PMG, 2003). A project is a series of tasks, which has a start, middle and an end. Therefore, the abandonment of building project can be defined as an act of giving up on or stopping a building project with no intention of returning to it.

1.2 Background Of Study

The demand for and provision of housing is as old as the history of man. Due to the harsh weather condition, wild animals, need for security and privacy, it became necessary for man to provide shelter for himself and members of his family. Though, the type of houses built in those historical times, served its primary purpose of shelter but lacked the modern amenities, as a result of underdevelopment in the society (i.e. society with no industry). Construction processes were limited to the locally available materials, labour and technology. However, with civilization and technological advancement, man was exposed to a new life (i.e. access to modern amenities).

Therefore, in recent times, there are various types of houses as a result of the numerous types of designs by the architects and the houses not only serve the primary purpose of shelter alone, but also have the modern amenities. There are different types of materials, plants and equipments produced to suit the modern constructions. There are also professionals like Architects, Builders, Quantity surveyors, Engineers, among others, trained in their respective field for proper execution of projects. Also, we have the skilled and unskilled labours, who contribute grossly towards the execution of a project. All these are as a result of civilization and technological advancement which have impacted the construction industry. Hence, the construction industry is regarded as one of the largest industries in the world, as it contains the highest number of people, ranging from the clients, professionals, skilled labours, unskilled labours and suppliers of different building materials etc.

Despite all these, abandoned building projects still litters our society, causing problems like security threats, promotion of illegal activities, unemployment, waste of human resources, poor landscaping, etc. Therefore, I will start by defining the abandonment of building project, as an act of giving up or stopping a building project with no intention of returning to it. Nobody initiates a building project for abandonment, because an uncompleted building project is always a source of sorrow to its owner, an unfulfilled hope and aspiration – a failure to achieve a purpose (Olateju, 1997).

Unfortunately in Nigeria, when projects are abandoned there are no conscious efforts to ensure completion, instead, new projects are embarked upon, putting money, materials, time and effort to waste, and also, causing problem to the nation as whole.

In Nigeria, the situation of abandoned projects is further compounded by the continuous award of new contracts which eventually suffers the same fate (Frisch, 1996).

We must really lay emphasis on the issue of abandonment of building projects, because, it creates a lot of problems for everyone, both within and outside the construction industry and even on the economy as a whole. Likewise, the resources required to execute the projects, which include: labour, equipment, time, material and money, are wasted and the accommodation problem remains unsolved.

Therefore, this dissertation attempts to examine the causes, effects and possible solutions to abandonment of building projects in the State of Osun.

1.3 Statement Of Research Problem

In Nigeria today, the landscape is littered with abandoned building projects. Therefore, the research work focuses critically into the causes and effects of abandoned building projects which have littered the Nigerian landscape. Every nation aspiring to attain development must utilize its resources effectively; develop its industrial base, energy sectors among other things (United Nation, 2006). Unfortunately, Nigeria has suffered a set-back in following these principles to development.

Every year, government announces a huge amount of money to be spent on capital projects, only for all to be put to waste as a result of corruption (e.g. embezzlement), leaving the projects abandoned. Also, both the public and the private sectors experience the abandonment of building projects which makes it pronounced, in the harsh economic climate, in developing countries like Nigeria. As a result of the involvement of the private sector, this has threatened job opportunities, rendering our economic development effort to suffer continuous set-back.

Solving this problem, might really be of help and having a gross contribution to the economic development.

1.3 Aim And Objectives

The aim of this dissertation is to determine the causes and effects of abandoned building projects and to propose possible solutions.

The objectives are:

1. To examine the causes of abandoned building projects.
2. To examine the effects of the abandoned building projects on client, the professional, the contractor in the construction industry and the economy.
3. To propose possible solutions.

1.5 Scope And Limitation Of Study

The State of Osun is considered for the study. Hence, this dissertation will be limited to some selected towns in the state. These are:

1. Oshogbo.
2. Ilesa.
3. Ile-Ife.

Chapter Five

Conclusion And Recommendation

5.1 Conclusion

This study has shown factors which contribute to the causes of abandoned building projects, especially the various activities of the parties within the construction industry which include withdrawal/late honouring of certificates of payment, breach of contracts, indiscrimination award of contracts and corruption on the part of the public clients and also, the failure of the client to make fund available.

Furthermore, the study also reveals the role of consultants in abandoned projects, which include; producing drawings, assessing client’s financial capacity, specifications and modification. These tends to pose a great task if relevant safety measures are not put in place and creating problems for the contractors to cope with, which may eventually lead to project abandonment.

Also, the role of contractors in project abandonment is also reveal, which are lack of proper coordination of subcontractors and other specialist firms, lack of schedule of plants, equipments and materials, poor management skills, improper supervision of structural works, technical deficiency and lack of good incentive scheme. All these must be checked to reduce project abandonment.

In the course of the study, it was discovered that the abandonment of building projects also have effects on clients, consultants, contractors, the economy and the society at large. Therefore to reverse the effects proper measures must be taken by the clients, professionals and the government, in order to improve the society.

In conclusion, the majority of the respondents are of the opinion that there is need to know the clients financial capacity before embarking on any project. There is also need for the architects to be on site to monitor the progress of work and making sure it conforms to plan. Some of the respondents also stated that the parties involved in the construction industry (i.e. the clients, consultants and contractors) should try and fulfill their agreement to the last letter, government should ensure accessibility to fund by both public and private developers in all our financial institutions and cost of building materials should be reduced by government policy.

5.2 Recommendations

The research suggested the various means by which all the causes and effects of abandoned building projects in the construction industry can come to an end.

This includes;

1. Client’s financial capacity should be known before embarking on any project.
2. Architects should ensure proper monitoring of progress of work and making sure it conforms to plan.
3. The parties involved in the construction industry (i.e. the clients, consultants and contractors) should try and fulfill their agreement to the last letter.
4. Government should ensure accessibility to fund by both public and private developers in all our financial institutions.
5. Cost of building materials should be reduced by government policy.

How To Get The Complete Material For Causes, Effect And Solution To Abandonment Of Building Projects In Osun State, Nigeria

The Complete Material Will Be Sent to You in Just 2 Steps

Quick & Simple…

Make Payment (Through Transfer) of ₦3,000 to Any of the Account Below

	Acc No: 0811003731
	Samphina Academy
	Current Account

	Acc No: 1225513212
	Samphina Academy
	Current Account

	Acc No: 8143831497
	Samphina Academy
	Digital Account

Or CLICK HERE To Pay With Debit Card

Send the Following Details on WhatsApp ( 08143831497) After Payment

1. Payment Details
2. Email Address 
3. Causes, Effect And Solution To Abandonment Of Building Projects In Osun State, Nigeria

The Complete Material Will Be Sent To Your Email Address After Receiving Your Details
T & C Apply

  Contact Our Help Desk