Master

International Conference on Chemical, Civil and Environment engineering (ICCEE '2012) March 24-25, 2012 Dubai

Abandonment of Building Projects in Nigeria- A Review of Causes and solutions
Olapade. Olalusi and Anthony. Otunola


Abstract—In Nigeria many housing projects are either uncompleted or out rightly abandoned. The paper investigated possible causes of project abandonment, its impact on the immediate community, contribution to infrastructural decadence and environmental pollution. Information was collated through personal interview, questionnaire administration, and review of existing literature and journals which formed the data base. While the data analysis showed that non functional Government policies, defective procurement procedures, incompetent contractors, defective design and so on contributed significantly to project abandonment. It was concluded that non-utilization of competent consultants and contractors, inconsistencies in Government policies, poor location of infrastructural facilities, defective cash flow and lack of adequate control in monitoring resources accounts for thousands of abandoned projects. It was recommended that transparency, fairness, accountability, honesty and integrity should be the culture while National Construction Bank is to be established to rejuvenate several abandoned construction projects.

of an owner’s legal right to a building, or the demolition of a building.” An abandoned construction project is an uncompleted project in a time frame of a contract. Hence, there is urgent need to look inward and examine critical factors militating against project completion and occupation in accordance with its conception. II. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY This research work intends to investigate factors that lead to construction projects being abandoned through the following stated objectives. 1. To identify the causes of abandonment of building projects. 2. To ascertain contributory factors to success and failure in the

References: [1]. Adeleke S.A (2005): “Abandonment of Federal Government Low-Cost Housing Estate”. An unpublished HND project submitted to Department of Building Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Offa. [2] Akindoyemi J.A (2005) : “Housing in Nigeria National Development” Lagos: Niser Reprint series No 83, Economics and Social journal volume xiv, No 3, page 315. [3] Dawodu M.B (1987): “Housing Strategies in Nigeria” Ibadan: Nigerian Institute of Town Planner Journal, vol. III page 10. [4] Greenberg M.R (1900): “The TOADS: A New American Urban Epidermic” Urban Affairs quarterly vol. 25: page 435-454. [5] Hicks, Mathew (2008): “Project Abandonment: Separate Legal Concept.” An article placed on internet under google search on project abandonment. [6] Kimura F. and Maeda M. (2005): “Transport Infrastructure Development in Japan and Korea: Drawing Lessons for the Philippines.” Internet download. [7] Kolawole O. J. (2006): “A review of Abandoned Projects cases in Nigeria.” A publication in Builder’s Voice – A publication of National Association of Building Students – Federal Polytechnic, Offa chapter. Offa: Metro-print Concept. [8] Kwakye A.A (1997): “Construction Project Administration in Practice” Addison Wesley; Longman Ltd page 21. [9] Makalah, Contoh (2008): “Abandoned Construction project.” A paper presented at International Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities. [10] O’ Flaherty (1993): “Community –Based Strategies to Counteract Housing Disinvestments and Abandonment in New York City” New York: Community Service Society of New York. [11] Omoniyi M.I (1999) “A critical Analysis of Abandoned Projects in Nigeria”. An unpublished B.Sc. Project submitted to University of Lagos, Lagos. [12] Oyelola W. (2010): “Engineers proffer solutions to project failure.” Lagos: The Nation. The Nigerian Daily Newspaper. August 10. Pg. 32 [13] Rwelamila P. D. and Lobelo L. (2000): “Factors Associated with Insolvencies amongst Civil Engineering Construction Firms in South Africa.” A paper presented at CDC Botswana (2000) 3. 4. 5. 6. 255