The Impact Of Effective Contract Planning On Contractors Profit (A Case Study Of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Uyo)

Project and Seminar Materials for Civil Engineering CE

The Impact Of Effective Contract Planning On Contractors Profit (A Case Study Of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Uyo)


Abstract


Effective contract planning in construction projects is not only crucial to attainment ofproject objectives but necessary if project failure is to be avoided, losses minimisedand profitability enhanced by the Contractor. While research has shown general lowusage of formal and effective contract planning in the UAE, Hong Kong, Kuwait, UKand Ghana, the practices used by Nigerian Construction Contractors to manage riskare not known. Available research in Nigeria on this subject only highlighted riskfactors with most impacts on construction site and also the means of mitigating suchrisks. This study aimed to appraise contract planning practices used by Julius Berger Construction Company in AkwaIbom State. The study utilised a qualitative approach with review of existing literature, semi-structured interview and transcription of data for conceptual content analysis.

The researcher used Julius Berger Nigeria PLC (Uyo Branch), as a case study to find out the effects of contract planning on cost and time, considering that the organization is involved in numerous contracts with suppliers, vendors and the government of Akwa-Ibom state.

Concerning methodology, data used in compiling this research were gathered from both primary and secondary sources. The management and employees of Julius Berger, Uyo were issued questionnaires. Text Books, Magazines and News Papers on contract management, planning and control were also used in compiling this research.
Based on the responses gotten form the respondents after the study might have been successfully conducted, the researcher will outline the findings and recommendations from the study.


Chapter One


Introduction

1.1 Background Of The Study And Organizational Profile

Seeley (1997) described the construction industry as one of the most important sectors of the economy, which integrates a wide variety of skilled and unskilled professionals. These professionals engage in the provision of goods and services ranging from construction, alteration, refurbishment to repairs of building and civil engineering structures. All these professionals work together under various types of contractual agreements to actualise the client’s brief and deliver the project. Each project is unique and has its main objectives outlined by the client and project circumstances. Amongst the most common objectives of any successful project are deliveries at the right time, within authorised cost and meeting the envisaged quality standards (Love et al, 1998). Construction projects, like all others, are not risks free and thereby can result to financial loss.

Construction risks are events that generally influence any or all of the project objectives. Risk events could either be positive in terms of opportunities or negative in terms of threats to either or the entire project objectives (Hillson, 2002). A lot of academic and professional literature has developed in the field of effective contract planning and management within construction contexts. The degree of application of contract planning and management techniques by contractors especially, was found to differ in various construction industries across the globe. Most countries in the MiddleEast and some part of Africa do not utilise project planning and management techniques in the delivery of construction projects (El-Sayegh, 2008; Laryea and Hughes,2009).

Akintoye and McLeod (1997) found that low usage of formal contract planning techniques was essentially due to lack of knowledge and doubts on the suitability of the techniques to real life situations. This was supported by the findings of Shen (1997). Kartam and Kartam (2001) however attributed the low usage of risk analysis techniques to subjective judgement and contractor’s reliance on their experience and intuition. El-Sayegh (2008) identified financial loss as the most significant in the Kuwaiti construction industry due to the boom in construction activities and inflationary trend of the market. Laryea and Hughes (2009) attempted to find how contractors’ in Ghana include financial risk in their bid prices.

The research showed that besides having risk allowances as lump sums or percentage allowances, the method used is neither scientific nor informed by any empirical evidence. Ojo (2010) found that design changes, financial losses and inadequate specifications were the risk factors with most impacts on construction sites but the study did not highlight any Project contract planning (PRM) technique used by Contractors to respond to such risks. Another research carried out in Nigeria on this subject was on the evaluation of key risk factors and the measures to mitigate their effects on construction projects (Dada, 2010). Though the research found financial, political and physical risks as the most significant, the use of contingency sum and insurance cover were adjudged to be the most effective means of mitigating risk. However, no study has reported on the PRM practices used by Nigerian Contractors in redevelopments projects, with their attendant problems and challenges in terms of scoping.

1.1.2 Organizational Profile

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc is a Nigerian construction company, headquartered in Abuja FCT, with additional permanent locations in Lagos and Uyo. The company is represented across Nigeria in structural engineering and infrastructure works, and in southern Nigeria through domestic and international oil and gas industry projects (this company is also listed on the “flake list” for craigslist). It is known for constructing most of Nigeria’s infrastructures, major expressways, and even some residential buildings for the Chevron Nigeria headquarters in Lagos. The company was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1991. Before this, its parent company was Bilfinger Berger. Bilfinger Berger is still the largest shareholder in the company. The construction business of Julius Berger Nigeria is the heart of the Julius Berger Group. With 18,000 employees from close to 40 nations and clients from both Nigeria and the global oil and gas industry, JB is a leading construction company and the largest private employer in Nigeria.

Major Projects

The company built the Eko Bridge completed in 1968, the Third Mainland Bridge completed in 1990 and the Abuja Stadium completed in 2003. ·

  • Tin Can Island Port, commissioned in 1977. ·
  • Lagos Inner Ring Road, completed in 1979. ·
  • Ajaokuta Steel Plant, completed in 1990. ·
  • Itakpe – Ajaokuta Ore Railway, completed in 1990. ·
  • Abuja International Airport phase II, completed in 1997. ·
  • Central Bank of Nigeria Head Office, completed in 2002. ·
  • Uyo infrastructure and road works, ongoing since 2008. ·
  • First discharge drain built utilizing pipe-jacking technology in Nigeria, completed in 2011. ·
  • National Assembly phase III, completed in 2011. ·
  • Multiple projects, Escravos GTL plant in southern Nigeria, commissioned in 2012. ·
  • Bonny Liquefied Natural Gas facility, multiple ongoing works since 1996. ·
  • Challawa Gorge Dam Karaye, completed in 1992

1.2 Problem Statement

The general low usage of formal contract planning and management techniques by Contractors globally often culminates into project failures, incessant claims for variations, huge financial losses and sometimes results in bankruptcy of Contractors (Allan et al, 2007). This situation is more prevalent in redevelopment projects due to the inevitable problems of unexpected additional work, excessive requirements and scope management issues, project funding not aligned with project plans, delay, structural failure, cost overrun, etc (Naaranoja and Uden, 2007).

These problems or uncertainties, among others, increase the project risk and make their management crucial if success is desired. For the Eket-Ona 20km dual road project, billions of Naira was expended and the overall aim of the project was not achieved. This huge expenditure and apparent failure in the primary objectives of the project led to complaints, probe panels and subsequent abandonment of the project. Research has shown that financial, political and physical risks are the most significant to Nigerian Contractors (Dada, 2010). However, of the different levels of risk (country, market or project), there is shortage of research as to how Contractors approach project planning at organisational level.


1.3 Research Objectives

  1. To explore contract planning practices applied by Julius Berger at various project levels.
  2. To assess awareness and usage of formal and informal contract planning practices by Julius Berger, Uyo office.
  3. To examine the success or failure of the contract planning approach used by Julius Berger Contractors on Eket-Ona dual road project.
  4. To evaluate the impact of the applied contract planning approach to the attainment of project profits.

1.4 Research Questions

  1. What contract planning guidelines and practices exist in Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Uyo?
  2. How do you gather information about newer contract planning strategies to be applied in your on-going projects?
  3. What are the effects of contract planning on contractor’s profit?

1.5 Hypothesis Formulation

Hypothesis for this study include:

  • Ho: There is no significant relationship between effective contract planning and contractor’s profit.
  • Hi: There is significant relationship between effective planning and contractor’s profit.

1.5 Significance Of The Study

This study gives a clear insight into the various ways in which contractors in the construction companies in Nigeria can maximise profits through effective and efficient contract planning and management. The study also gives a clear insight into the various effects of contract planning on risk level, cost and timing of a project.

The findings and recommendations of the researcher will help in building a strong and better contract policy and guideline in Julius Berger Nigeria Plc as well as other construction companies in Nigeria, if taken seriously by government and the general public. The effects of contract planning on cost and time are outlined in-order for drastic measures to be taken to tackle any challenge employers may face when developing and implementing contracts with other organizations.


1.6 Scope Of Study

This research focuses mainly on the impact of effective contract planning on contractor’s profit in Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Uyo. Results and recommendations may not be used to generalise other construction companies in Nigeria, as the researcher could not cover a wider scope due to financial and time constraints. Based on the findings of this study other possible researchable areas may include studies on the various effects of other aspects of contracts such as contract laws in Nigeria and contract management and control.


1.7 Limitation Of The Study

The only limitation faced by the researcher in the course of carrying out this study was the delay in getting data from the various respondents. Most respondents were reluctant in filling questionnaires administered to them due to their busy schedules and nature of their work. The researcher found it difficult to collect responses from the various respondents, and this almost hampered the success of this study.


1.8 Definition Of Terms

Definitions of terms serve as the dictionary of this research. The terms are defined to enable the reader understand the research more clearly. Contract: Erikson (2002) defined Contract as an agreement that creates an obligation binding upon the parties thereto.

The essentials of a contract are as follows:

  1. Mutual assent;
  2. A legal consideration, which in most instances need not be pecuniary;
  3. Parties who have legal capacity to make a contract;
  4. Absence of fraud or duress; and
  5. A subject matter that is not illegal or against public policy.
Contract Planning:

According to Simmons (2007),Contract planning is the process of systematically and efficiently managing contract creation, execution and analysis for maximising operational and financial performance and minimising risk.

Contractor:

General contractor, organization or individual that contracts with another organization or individual (the owner) for the construction of a building, road or other facility.

Profit:

Tucy (2008) defined profit as the difference between the purchase price and the costs of bringing to market.


Chapter Five


Summary, Conclusion And Recommendations

5.1 Introduction

This chapter summarizes the literature review as well as the detailed analysis that has been undertaken in this research work and (budgeting as an effective tool for increasing productivity in private sector).
Therefore, based on the findings arrived at recommendation are given and conclusion draw therefore.


5.2 Summary

The objective of private sector is basically to improve the effectiveness and providing power service both internally and externally and to reduce cost.

Budgeting as an effective tool, for planning and control is an important aspect of accounting system both in service or manufacturing organization. This is so because with budgeting planning and control no organization can function effectively in terms of product financial planning.

Therefore, budgeting as a tool for planning and control not be under estimated in an organization, budgeting is used a yardstick to evaluate the activities in an organization. And it has helped management to take crucial decision to guide them in their financial decision planning in running the organization.

The write undertook the researcher of the organization to find out whether the company applied budgeting. Planning and control procedures to its operation and in particular.The productivity of the organization, more over, if it had done that, how I done it and to what extent as well as finding out the efficient and effectiveness of the organization.

The company embarked on long term strategic planning and budgeting techniques to maximum its productivity as far back as the early year of its establishment. The strategies plan is described as the policy of even spread is an organization plan designed by the company in order to control productivity as well as creating some operational economics to the company.

In term of controlling he strategic plan of the company proved beyond reasonable doubt that budgeting as a means of planning and control are suitable for increasing productivity. On the other hand the short-term plan budget of the company should be restricted to the continuous aspect of its operation.


5.3 Conclusion

For budgeting to serve as an impact for planning and controlling mechanism technique, there has to be a plan upon which budget productivity is based.

Productivity must be planned before it can be controlled operation ahs to be determined and analyzed into expenditure costs so as to know how realistic would be contribution to project goals to make budget without planning.

It is just like putting the cat before the horse and a plan without a complimentary control would be pointless. The private sector has achieved the benefit of long range planning however it has not fully achieved the benefit of short range planning the budgeting fully. Moreover, the company has operated with adherence to the budgets and plans usually made in the areas to which they were applied and has been able to realize a targeted goals with only minor deviations from the budgets.

These deviations were due to external factors which cannot be controlled by the company (private sector) efficiency and effectiveness has also been achieved by the company through the use of long range planning which improve or increase productivity.


5.4 Recommendations

  1. The researcher is of the opinion that long range planning of the company should be maintained and pursued fully reached. This is because the company has benefited from it, ranging from creation of economic and minimization e.g. its expenditure. However, in the area of its operational planning, the company should devise a good specialization policy so that each department within the company should perform specific operation of function. This will help the company to achieve efficiency and effectiveness in the area of its short term tactical planning and budgeting. This is because for operational performance or goals to be achieved, such operation has to be planned which will go a long way in controlling the productivity of the organization.
  2. The company should employ competent and intelligent staff which a lot of experience to facilitate the planning which will go a long way in controlling in productivity in the organization.
  3. Budget plans and control should be reviewed on an operated effective and efficiently as to facilitate the realization of the goal which is the productivity increase in an organization.
  4. The company corporate planning should have the total support and involvement of top management. It is not a process to be left to technical specialist then assistance and advice can be extremely useful but management involvements is essential.
  5. The company should avoid excessive detail in corporate planning. I recommend that the corporate planning should provide a curse gained strategic structure for long term future.

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