Review of Correlation of Quantity Surveyors’ Education in Nigeria to Skill Requirements for Administration of Civil Engineering Projects

Whereas quantity surveyors are adequately engaged in engineering projects in Great Britain from where quantity surveying education in Nigeria derived its source and model, their involvement seems sub-optimum in Nigeria, attributably to perception of the correlation of quantity surveyors’ education to engineering projects’ requirements. This study examined the course curriculum and contents for quantity surveying at both the degree and higher diploma levels with the view to investigating the proportion of education and training of quantity surveyors in the Nigerian education system at undergraduate level that correlate to the skill requirements of the administration of civil engineering projects. The study identified the administration of civil engineering projects under 3 main headings viz: Design, Construction, and Cost appraisal. The study reveals a good correlation of the education and training of quantity surveyors to the skill requirement for providing services requiring measurement of civil engineering works as well as services requiring evaluation of civil engineering works and financial management. The study also revealed 51.2% and 52.2% proportion of the curriculum and course content of University and Polytechnic respectively as focusing directly on the requirement of cost appraisal and administration of the financial aspects of civil engineering and other engineering projects. Keywords: correlation, education, skill requirement, administration, and civil engineering, quantity surveyin

Critical factors in road infrastructure development in Osun state, south western Nigeria

Road infrastructure has a very high economic impact on the rural/urban integration especially with the creation of Osun State in 1992. The correlation between road infrastructure and economic development has been well established in literature. This study examined road infrastructure development in Osun State, South-western Nigeria between1999 and 2008. Structured questionnaire administered on 74 construction professionals and 32 financial administrators with official cadre ranging between principal and director in the public service of the State provided quantitative data for the study. In addition, a field survey of (17) road projects budgeted for execution in the State during this period was carried out. Data obtained were analyzed using percentage and relative significance index. The result of the study indicated poor implementation incidence of road projects in the State which is attributed to funding and coordination issues. Findings from the study provide information for rethinking budgeting for road infrastructure development in developing economy where road infrastructure financing depends on public funding

An Appraisal of Project Procurement Methods in the Nigerian Construction Industry

The aim of every client at the beginning of any project is to have at the end of the day a quality structure delivered on time and within budget. However, researches have shown that in most cases this aim is not met. The aim of the study that formed the basis for this paper was to identify and assess procurement methods in use in the Nigerian construction industry and identify the factors that affect the choice of the variants under the traditional and the non-conventional procurement methods. Data were collected using well-structured questionnaires administered to professionals in Lagos metropolis. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study reveals that the variants of traditional method of contract procurement are the most adopted in project execution in Nigeria. In making choice of procurement method, the study reveals that project completion at estimated time ranks as the highest factor considered for traditional method, while quality assurance ranks highest with non-conventional method

An Evaluation of Factors Predisposing Building Elements to Variation in Nigeria

The construction industry has been consistently criticized for poor performance in attaining clients’ requirements. The study, thus, assessed the factors predisposing building elements to variation with a view to providing cost-design information that enhance construction project delivery, that is, on-time completion of project within budget. The building elements considered in this study include substructure, frame, upper floors, and roof. Data were collected using well-structured questionnaires administered on professionals in consulting firms, contracting firms, and client organizations in Lagos metropolis. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results of the analysis revealed nine factors through factor analysis that predispose substructure to variation, seven factors predispose frame, six factors predispose upper floors, and seven factors predispose roofs to variation during construction process in Nigeria