Management of Construction Delays in South East Nigeria

Timely completion of construction projects and the position in certain quarters that construction delays are almost unavoidable made it imperative to examine the management of construction delays with South East Nigeria as case study. In the study, 3 research questions with 43 multiple choice items were formulated and administered to 100 construction professionals who have been involved in construction projects in South East Nigeria to elicit responses through a questionnaire. The questionnaire was constructed using Likert Four-Point Scale Response Alternative and analysed using weighted mean. The study also sourced for information through observations and oral interviews conducted by the researchers. The study found out that extra cost claims, professional negligence labour and material cost escalation among others are the causes of construction delays in Nigeria. It also found out that cost overrun, time overrun, damaged relationship between the parties and the like are effects of construction delays in South East, Nigeria. On management of these delays when they occur, the respondents accepted that appointment of a project quantity surveyor, prompt release of funds to contractor, timely purchase of material and immediate delivery on site among others are remedial actions. Of essence in the study is the discovery by the researchers that most clients are willing to honour payment certificates as and when but lack the financial capacity to do so. Thus, the researchers among others recommend the financial empowerment of clients to ease timely honouring of payment certificates; and the appointment of project quantity surveyors for financial guidance. Keywords: construction delays, construction projects, cost overrun, management and time overrun DOI: 10.7176/CER/11-11-01 Publication date: December 31st 201