ASSESSMENT OF CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES IN NIGERIA CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY (A CASE STUDY OF IBADAN IN OYO STATE)

ASSESSMENT OF CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES IN NIGERIA CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY (A CASE STUDY OF IBADAN IN OYO STATE)

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

A major concern of stakeholders (clients, consultants, contractors, e.t.c) in Nigerian construction industry is how to improve service delivery. Mitullah and Wachira (2003) havereported that the development of an efficient construction industry is an objective of policy in most countries.
The construction industry is the pivot of any economy and a belief held in both the developed and developing countries (Nubi. 2003). Adam (1992) emphasized that through its contribution v to National Gross Domestic Product (GDP), labour, employment and gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) construction industry’s importance in the overall economy cannot be underestimated. The industry provides the infrastructure, buildings, roads, bridges, dams, ports and other construction products that are required for economic development.

Construction is a $ 1.7 trillion industry worldwide (Bray, 2005). Global construction is said to have contribution amounting to between 5 and 7 percent of GDP in most countries and accounts for a significant part of global cross capital formation- a little under one third ( Brays, 2005). The United Nations Environment programme(UNEP) has noted that about one-tenth of the global economy is dedicated to construction and operating homes and offices (UNEP, 1996). Mitullah and Wichira (2003) also stated that construction activiuty plays a vital role in the process of economic growth and development, both through its products (infrastructure, buildings) and through the employment created in the process of construction itself.

The construction industry in Nigeria is of paramount importance for employment and economic growth (Ogunsemi and Jagboro, 2006). Presently, the construction industry in Nigeria contributes about 3 percent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP) (Aganga, 2010). This is far below between 5 and 7 percent of GDP in most countries. Therefore, effort gears towards improving the efficiency of the construction industry in Nigeria in terms of improving on construction management techniques is worthwhile and will contribute to better performance of the industry. This study therefore examines the construction management techniques among contracting firms in Ibadan, Oyo State.

ASSESSMENT OF CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES IN NIGERIA CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY (A CASE STUDY OF IBADAN IN OYO STATE)