Housing is an important element for the growth and development of every nation and essential elem... more Housing is an important element for the growth and development of every nation and essential element for human survival. Despite the importance of housing, many developing countries including Nigeria are facing serious challenges in the provision of adequate and affordable housing to their citizens. Since the attainment of independence in 1960, successive Nigerian Governments have introduced a number of programmes and initiatives in order to address the housing problems in the country, however, all the efforts made recorded little success. This is due to many problems associated with the structure and components of the housing sector. The structures are institutional, legal and regulatory framework within which the housing sector operates, while the components are, finance, land, building materials, labour and infrastructure. The aim of this study is to examine the problems of housing delivery in Nigerian, and propose some guiding principles that will lead to successful housing delivery in Nigeria. The methodology adopted includes review of relevant documents and literatures, and discussion with expert in the housing sector. The study identified the major problems associated with housing finance, access to land, building materials, skilled labour and provision of infrastructure. Some guiding principles have been suggested to policy makers, construction industries and professional bodies that will assist in successful housing delivery in Nigeria.
Many developing countries like Nigeria face serious challenges with regards to the provision of p... more Many developing countries like Nigeria face serious challenges with regards to the provision of public housings for their citizenry. The purpose of this research article is to establish critical success factors (CSFs) for public housing projects (PHPs) in Nigeria. The data collections were performed in Nigeria using interviews, pilot survey and a questionnaire survey. The interviews were conducted with experts in housing so as to determine the sufficiency and appropriateness of the success attributes gathered from the literature review with respect to Nigerian situation. After analysing the results of the interviews, a draft questionnaire was prepared and pretested. Following a slight revision, a final version of the questionnaire was designed. A questionnaire survey was performed in which five hundred and fifty (550) questionnaires were distributed by means of stratified sampling techniques. The respondents were construction professionals with experience in PHPs implementation in Nigeria who work in developers’ companies, consultancy firms, contracting companies or public housing agencies. Two hundred and eighty-one copies of the administered questionnaires were completed and brought back, equivalent to 51 % response rate. Structural equation modelling technique was employed in the data analyses process. The study establishes seven CSFs for PHPs in Nigeria. These factors are: (1) institutional framework for public housing, (2) availability of competent personnel, (3) effective project management, (4) good maintenance management practice, (5) appropriate design and good location, (6) effective housing finance system and (7) adequate political support. The CSFs established in this study can serve as a guide to housing policy makers, public housing developers and project managers towards successful accomplishments of PHPs in Nigeria.
This article presents the results of a study of the accuracy of cost estimates in public building... more This article presents the results of a study of the accuracy of cost estimates in public building projects in Nigeria. Data were collected from a sample of 40 completed building projects with initial cost values of between N3.00m – N187.19m. A questionnaire survey of construction professionals was also undertaken in which the respondents were asked to indicate their opinions on the causes of inaccurate cost estimate in public work projects. Seventy five (75) survey questionnaires were distributed and fifty three (53) of them were returned completed. Based on the analysis of the data collected, it was found that, public building projects exceed their initial estimates by an average value of 5.16%. Furthermore, 65.0% of the projects considered have their estimated costs within the limits of ±5% of the actual costs. The survey revealed that, the main factors that influence the accuracy of cost estimates of public building projects are improper planning, non compliance with condition of contract, incompetence on the part of the contractors, lack of understanding of project requirements by the estimator and insufficient information related to the project before execution. To improve on the accuracy of cost estimates, it is recommended that both the client and the contactor should make adequate planning in terms of the resources required for the execution of the projects at early stage, prior to the commencement of the work Significance: Cost estimating is an important aspect of construction project. The performance and overall project success are often measured by how well the actual cost compares to estimated cost. In other words, the success or failure of a project is dependent on several estimates throughout the course of the project. Therefore it is imperative to evaluate the accuracy of cost estimates in public projects and propose appropriate measures that would help reduce inaccurate estimates.
The paper appraised performance of contingency allowance in addressing projects' cost risk. To ac... more The paper appraised performance of contingency allowance in addressing projects' cost risk. To achieve this aim, impact of contingency provision in some selected building projects were evaluated. Data for the study was collected by means of checklist from 40 completed projects' files. Furthermore, 100 questionnaires on project cost contingency were randomly distributed to quantity Surveyors out of whom 67 completed responses were returned. The results showed that there is significant difference between projects with and without contingency with respect to the accuracy of cost estimates. The study revealed that although the inclusion of contingency allowance reduces the incidence of project cost overrun, majority of the projects under study (55%) had cost overrun. It was also found that the projects exceeded their initial estimate by an average value of 5.07% where contingency was included and by an average value of 9.52% where contingency was not included. The study showed that there is a lack of application of quantitative risks analysis in the determination of contingency fund. Therefore, to improve the accuracy of cost contingency allowance, application of quantitative risks analysis in its determination has been recommended.
Contingency funds are included in project estimates to manage risks and uncertainties so as to ac... more Contingency funds are included in project estimates to manage risks and uncertainties so as to achieve project objectives. This paper presents results of a research work on management of contingency fund for building projects in Nigeria. A total of 100 questionnaires on projects cost contingency were randomly distributed to project managers. Sixty seven (67) completed questionnaires were returned. Analysis of the responses indicates that, in many organizations, there is a lack of formal policy or guidelines for the management of project cost contingency. Furthermore, 12% of the respondents do not monitor the use of contingency fund; also 37% do not review the accuracy of contingency allowance at the completion of projects. The study also shows that, the major problem encountered in the management of contingency fund is that, more often the fund is inadequate to cater for all the risks and uncertainties associated with projects. To improve cost contingency management practice, it is recommended that, organizations should establish a policy or guideline for management of contingency fund. Significance: Cost contingency is an important factor in project cost estimates. The effectiveness of contingency management can strongly influence project success.
There is no consensus among researchers of what constitutes projects success; every project type ... more There is no consensus among researchers of what constitutes projects success; every project type may have different success criteria. Identifying project success criteria at the initial stage of a project can contribute to effective utilization of resources. The aim of this study is to establish the criteria for measuring public housing project success in Nigeria. The data collection was carried out in Nigeria by means of structured interviews with ten experts in housing, a pilot survey and questionnaire survey. A questionnaire survey was carried out in which 550 questionnaires were administered to construction professionals who involve in public housing projects, in order to elicit their perceptions on success criteria for public housing projects. The sample was drawn using purposive sampling method since there is no sample frame of people with experience in public housing. Two hundred and seventy six questionnaires (276) were returned completed representing 50.2% response rate. The data collected were analysed using structural equation modelling technique. The results reveal six criteria for measuring public housing project management success, these are client’s satisfaction, project completed on time, project completed to specified quality standard, absence of disputes, safety, and completion within budget. The results also reveal four criteria for measuring public housing product success which include meeting the project purpose, end users’ satisfaction, environmental impact and aesthetic appearance of the housing units . Understanding the findings of this study by policy makers and project managers can improve effectiveness and efficiency of public housing projects in Nigeria.
Housing is an important element for the growth and development of every nation and essential elem... more Housing is an important element for the growth and development of every nation and essential element for human survival. Despite the importance of housing, many developing countries including Nigeria are facing serious challenges in the provision of adequate and affordable housing to their citizens. Since the attainment of independence in 1960, successive Nigerian Governments have introduced a number of programmes and initiatives in order to address the housing problems in the country, however, all the efforts made recorded little success. This is due to many problems associated with the structure and components of the housing sector. The structures are institutional, legal and regulatory framework within which the housing sector operates, while the components are, finance, land, building materials, labour and infrastructure. The aim of this study is to examine the problems of housing delivery in Nigerian, and propose some guiding principles that will lead to successful housing delivery in Nigeria. The methodology adopted includes review of relevant documents and literatures, and discussion with expert in the housing sector. The study identified the major problems associated with housing finance, access to land, building materials, skilled labour and provision of infrastructure. Some guiding principles have been suggested to policy makers, construction industries and professional bodies that will assist in successful housing delivery in Nigeria.
Many developing countries like Nigeria face serious challenges with regards to the provision of p... more Many developing countries like Nigeria face serious challenges with regards to the provision of public housings for their citizenry. The purpose of this research article is to establish critical success factors (CSFs) for public housing projects (PHPs) in Nigeria. The data collections were performed in Nigeria using interviews, pilot survey and a questionnaire survey. The interviews were conducted with experts in housing so as to determine the sufficiency and appropriateness of the success attributes gathered from the literature review with respect to Nigerian situation. After analysing the results of the interviews, a draft questionnaire was prepared and pretested. Following a slight revision, a final version of the questionnaire was designed. A questionnaire survey was performed in which five hundred and fifty (550) questionnaires were distributed by means of stratified sampling techniques. The respondents were construction professionals with experience in PHPs implementation in Nigeria who work in developers’ companies, consultancy firms, contracting companies or public housing agencies. Two hundred and eighty-one copies of the administered questionnaires were completed and brought back, equivalent to 51 % response rate. Structural equation modelling technique was employed in the data analyses process. The study establishes seven CSFs for PHPs in Nigeria. These factors are: (1) institutional framework for public housing, (2) availability of competent personnel, (3) effective project management, (4) good maintenance management practice, (5) appropriate design and good location, (6) effective housing finance system and (7) adequate political support. The CSFs established in this study can serve as a guide to housing policy makers, public housing developers and project managers towards successful accomplishments of PHPs in Nigeria.
This article presents the results of a study of the accuracy of cost estimates in public building... more This article presents the results of a study of the accuracy of cost estimates in public building projects in Nigeria. Data were collected from a sample of 40 completed building projects with initial cost values of between N3.00m – N187.19m. A questionnaire survey of construction professionals was also undertaken in which the respondents were asked to indicate their opinions on the causes of inaccurate cost estimate in public work projects. Seventy five (75) survey questionnaires were distributed and fifty three (53) of them were returned completed. Based on the analysis of the data collected, it was found that, public building projects exceed their initial estimates by an average value of 5.16%. Furthermore, 65.0% of the projects considered have their estimated costs within the limits of ±5% of the actual costs. The survey revealed that, the main factors that influence the accuracy of cost estimates of public building projects are improper planning, non compliance with condition of contract, incompetence on the part of the contractors, lack of understanding of project requirements by the estimator and insufficient information related to the project before execution. To improve on the accuracy of cost estimates, it is recommended that both the client and the contactor should make adequate planning in terms of the resources required for the execution of the projects at early stage, prior to the commencement of the work Significance: Cost estimating is an important aspect of construction project. The performance and overall project success are often measured by how well the actual cost compares to estimated cost. In other words, the success or failure of a project is dependent on several estimates throughout the course of the project. Therefore it is imperative to evaluate the accuracy of cost estimates in public projects and propose appropriate measures that would help reduce inaccurate estimates.
The paper appraised performance of contingency allowance in addressing projects' cost risk. To ac... more The paper appraised performance of contingency allowance in addressing projects' cost risk. To achieve this aim, impact of contingency provision in some selected building projects were evaluated. Data for the study was collected by means of checklist from 40 completed projects' files. Furthermore, 100 questionnaires on project cost contingency were randomly distributed to quantity Surveyors out of whom 67 completed responses were returned. The results showed that there is significant difference between projects with and without contingency with respect to the accuracy of cost estimates. The study revealed that although the inclusion of contingency allowance reduces the incidence of project cost overrun, majority of the projects under study (55%) had cost overrun. It was also found that the projects exceeded their initial estimate by an average value of 5.07% where contingency was included and by an average value of 9.52% where contingency was not included. The study showed that there is a lack of application of quantitative risks analysis in the determination of contingency fund. Therefore, to improve the accuracy of cost contingency allowance, application of quantitative risks analysis in its determination has been recommended.
Contingency funds are included in project estimates to manage risks and uncertainties so as to ac... more Contingency funds are included in project estimates to manage risks and uncertainties so as to achieve project objectives. This paper presents results of a research work on management of contingency fund for building projects in Nigeria. A total of 100 questionnaires on projects cost contingency were randomly distributed to project managers. Sixty seven (67) completed questionnaires were returned. Analysis of the responses indicates that, in many organizations, there is a lack of formal policy or guidelines for the management of project cost contingency. Furthermore, 12% of the respondents do not monitor the use of contingency fund; also 37% do not review the accuracy of contingency allowance at the completion of projects. The study also shows that, the major problem encountered in the management of contingency fund is that, more often the fund is inadequate to cater for all the risks and uncertainties associated with projects. To improve cost contingency management practice, it is recommended that, organizations should establish a policy or guideline for management of contingency fund. Significance: Cost contingency is an important factor in project cost estimates. The effectiveness of contingency management can strongly influence project success.
There is no consensus among researchers of what constitutes projects success; every project type ... more There is no consensus among researchers of what constitutes projects success; every project type may have different success criteria. Identifying project success criteria at the initial stage of a project can contribute to effective utilization of resources. The aim of this study is to establish the criteria for measuring public housing project success in Nigeria. The data collection was carried out in Nigeria by means of structured interviews with ten experts in housing, a pilot survey and questionnaire survey. A questionnaire survey was carried out in which 550 questionnaires were administered to construction professionals who involve in public housing projects, in order to elicit their perceptions on success criteria for public housing projects. The sample was drawn using purposive sampling method since there is no sample frame of people with experience in public housing. Two hundred and seventy six questionnaires (276) were returned completed representing 50.2% response rate. The data collected were analysed using structural equation modelling technique. The results reveal six criteria for measuring public housing project management success, these are client’s satisfaction, project completed on time, project completed to specified quality standard, absence of disputes, safety, and completion within budget. The results also reveal four criteria for measuring public housing product success which include meeting the project purpose, end users’ satisfaction, environmental impact and aesthetic appearance of the housing units . Understanding the findings of this study by policy makers and project managers can improve effectiveness and efficiency of public housing projects in Nigeria.
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