Performance Evaluation of State Subsidized Housing Scheme:a Case Study of Ogun State Housing Projects

The problems of housing in Nigeria are enormous and complex, exhibiting apparent and marked regional differences. In most urban centres, the problem is not only restricted to quantity but also to the quality of available housing units and the environment. This study therefore evaluated the building performance of State Subsidized Housing Schemes in Ogun State and ascertained whether or not the public housing estates fulfil the initial design/goal of government and the needs of the users with regard to the occupants` satisfaction. The objectives of the study were to examine housing delivery process, evaluate the physical characteristics and conditions of the housing units, examine the socio-economic characteristics of the residents, ascertain factors which influence levels of residents’ expectations and satisfaction with the housing estates and compare the occupants` expectations of the housing units, with their housing experience in the estates. The study obtained both primary and secondary data. Qualitative data was obtained from key management staff of (OPIC) by means of in-depth interview. Quantitative data was obtained through administration of questionnaires on 716 housing units based on purposeful sampling of ten existing low-income housing estates spread across the State. Descriptive and inferential techniques were used for the analysis.The result of study showed a positive and significant correlation between age range (r=0.397), marital status (r=0.297), and household size (r=0.189), however, Socio economic status (r=-0.275), educational attainment (r=-0.213) and ownership status (r= -0.285) had negative, but significant correlations at 0.05 level of significance. The study concluded that most residents found their housing units satisfactory but at different levels of satisfaction based on the age, length of residency, marital status and educational level. It is thus recommended that public agencies for low-income housing should pay proper attention to the management of support and public facilities to enhance residential satisfaction of the inhabitants and also adopt a policy to build different sizes of units to cater for the needs of the residents with large families in order to enhance quality of life of the low-income urban community in the country

Prefabrication Method of Building Construction in Lagos State, Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges

Though the use of prefabricated elements in construction has been considered as one of the most effective methods, the industry has found difficulties implementing it. The paper provided an overview of the challenges and factors influencing the use of prefabrication in Lagos state. A survey technique was adopted in carrying out this research. This paper studied 100 prefabricated home owners and occupants, and 25 professionals with knowledge and skill in the construction of prefabricated buildings in Lagos state. Two different questionnaires were administered, one to prefab building occupants/clients and the other was administered to professionals in the prefab industry survey based on 5-likert scale. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) was used to process and analyze the data obtained from the questionnaires. The use of prefabricated elements in building construction is observed to be an effective and efficient approach to improving construction processes and productivity, ensuring construction quality and reducing time and cost in the construction industry. However, many problems occur with this approach in practice, including initial high cost of construction, unawareness of the prefabricated method of construction, unavailability of prefabrication companies locally, technically and challenges in installation. The study concluded that though there are lots of factors influencing the use of this method of construction, the benefits should be put into effective use. The use of prefabricated elements in building construction in Lagos state is profitable due to the benefit of faster construction time because of the nature of the city and the increasing population of the city. Recommendations were provided to further the use of the prefabricated method of construction more effectively

ASSESSMENT OF INTEGRATION OF BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEMS IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: PROFESSIONALS` PERSPECTIVES

The study assessed the integration of various Building Automation Systems (BAS) to enhance efficiency and productivity in residential buildings in developing countries: Professionals` perspectives. A survey technique was used for this research. Both Qualitative data and Quantitative data were obtained. 100 structured questionnaires were distributed to the professionals involved in construction of the systems. The data were analyzed and ranked based on Relative Importance Index (RII) calculation. The result showed that high energy management, improved security, improved safety in buildings were the most important benefits while High cost of purchasing devices and high maintenance cost., lack of adequate power supply, lack of technical-know where the challenges encountered in the use of BAS. There is lack of awareness of BAS by professionals. It recommended that there should more enlightenment and training of the construction professionals on the importance of building automation for better efficiency and productivity

EVALUATION OF APPLICATION OF ECO FRIENDLY SYSTEMS IN BUILDINGS IN NIGERIA

The study evaluated the application of eco-friendly systems in some selected buildings in Nigeria with a aim of taking advantage of natural resources for building efficiency. Qualitative and Quantitative research methods were employed in this study. Data was obtained by the administration of questionnaires to occupants of residential buildings and the designs of their building were also assessed against sustainable standards. Findings showed that the buildings of sampled respondents were not sustainable and the natural resources available in the environment were not properly utilized. In addition, the residents pay more for energy consumption because the natural resources in the environment were not adequately integrated in the building. The study therefore recommended that a green building rating system like the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) suitable for Nigeria should be designed to guide new projects and renovation

Factors Affecting the Performance of Labour in Nigerian Construction Sites

The paper identified some factors perceived to be negatively affecting the performance of construction labour and also examined how these factors vary from site to site in the Nigerian construction industry. To achieve this, structured questionnaires were administered on contractors and labour (operatives) on forty construction sites in the study area to sample their opinions. A Likert statistical technique was employed for the analysis in this perspective. The result indicated that unfair wages (RI = 0.89), negative influencing factors (RI = 0.85) and lack of motivation (RI = 0.79) were ranked high by the labour while the contractors ranked lack of training (RI = 0.84), poor communication (RI = 0.79) and inclement weather (RI = 0.71) as being affecting the performance labour in this respect. It was recommended, among other things, that contractors must study the peculiarities of their workers and identify their main motivator

Assessment of Effectiveness of Planning Techniques and Tools on Construction Projects in Lagos State, Nigeria

Construction project planning is an essential element in the management and execution of construction projects which involves the definition of work tasks and their interactions, as well as the assessment of required resources and expected activity durations. The study, therefore, examined the awareness of professionals in construction industry of the various types of planning techniques and tools used on construction sites, assessed the effectiveness of planning techniques and tools used on selected construction sites in Lagos State, Nigeria, and identified the factors affecting the choice of planning techniques and tools towards effective and efficient delivery of projects. Questionnaires were administered on selected building professionals (Project Managers, Engineers, Architects), and Contractors and Sub-contractors directly involved in construction work on sites in Lagos State with emphasis placed on planning and the use of planning tools and techniques as major tools for successful project execution. The data obtained were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientist for Windows (SPSS), and the results were presented by the use of statistical tools such as frequency tables and pie charts. The study shows that there is low awareness on the functional use of construction planning tools and techniques, and recommended that the use of the construction planning tools and techniques should be applied in all building projects and there should be regular adequate training of professionals on the effectiveness and improvement in Information Technology in the construction industry especially in project planning and execution

PROJECT MANAGEMENT A PANACEA TO IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF CONSTRUCTION PROJEC

The parameters for measuring the performance of project managers on any construction project are time, cost, quality, health and safety, meeting requirements of the owners and satisfaction of stakeholders. This study was conducted in Ogun state to ascertain the effects of project manager on construction works and project delivery in Nigeria. Both qualitative and quantitative data were obtained. A cross-sectional survey research design was used. A survey of randomly selected samples of 32 professionals, questionnaires was used to collect data from Architects, Civil Engineers, Builders and Quantity Surveyors practicing in the state. The result of the findings shows that effective engagement of project managers on project ensures that project criteria are achieved both at the preliminary and construction stages of projects. It is concluded that there is need to engage the services of project managers in projects for better efficiencies and quality delivery of projects. It is however recommended that project managers should be properly trained and engage in continuous professional development to be abreast with latest project management strategies

Critical success factors (CSFs) influencing the implementation of industrialized building Systems (IBS) in Nigeria

Conventional method of construction hinders the actualization of triple success project objectives of time, cost and quality delivery of construction projects while IBS method is used for closing these negative effects. Hence, this study aimed at examining critical success factors (CSFs) influencing the implementation of industrialized building systems (IBS) in Nigeria. Adopting a cross-sectional survey design, a close-ended questionnaire was purposively administered online to construction professionals who have distinct knowledge and experience on projects where IBS has been implemented. The data was subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics using IBM SPSS v. 21. The study findings showed that good working relationship, training of skilled workforce, effective communication route and financial capacity are the CSFs furthering the implementation of IBS in a developing country like Nigeria. The implication for practice is for construction stakeholders to develop these competencies to maximally improve the implementation of IBS projects. The study developed a framework that the project stakeholders can implement for an efficient industrialized building system on construction projects

Target Output, Extended Output and Site Productivity: Tales of the Expected

Target output, extended output and moderate output are compared for selected construction projects in some selected sites in Nigeria. The objective of this study is to examine the attributes of extended and moderate output, setting of benchmarks for purpose of analysis of worker productivity, determination of derivable benefits, with a view to identifying if the effects are the same for both methods. The study procures the primary data used in this study through the use of questionnaires designed in Likert scale 1 to 5, which are sent to clients, builders and consultants. In all, 120 questionnaires were sent to these respondents who recently completed their housing projects based on the two methods. Results of the study indicate that there is significant difference between both methods in terms of risks of value for money, guaranteed sense of self accomplishment, while a significant difference exists between both methods in job burnt- out effect, timely completion of project, and exhaustion, Moderate target output method demonstrates less risk of timely completion of project than the extended target output. This study concludes that there are various types of risks inherent in use of both methods in housing projects. The study displays characteristics of early completion of project and prospects of getting good value for money. Recommendations of the study are that clients, contractors and consultants should use Moderate target output for execution of their future housing projects job allocations, and also they are at liberty to use any of the two methods as they best satisfy their requirements. Implications of this study to policy makers and other stakeholders in the construction industry is that Moderate labour output method should be explored for use in large and complex projects as considerable cost savings can be achieved, timely delivery of project and good value for money are equally derivable benefits of the method. The outcome of this study serves as a watershed to other peculiar issues inn site productivity and job beats’ allocations

Sustainability Strategies in Engineering Infrastructure Maintenance in Developing Countries: Selected South Western Nigeria States Case Study

It is an undeniable fact that production of maintenance- free infrastructure is not feasible. The reality is that all the elements and components that make up an engineering infrastructure unavoidably, deteriorates with time due to inherent defects in design and construction, and the effects of environmental agents and users activities. All engineering infrastructures are subject to aging, wear and tear in the performance of their functions and deterioration by exposure to outside operating environment. Hence, left to themselves, engineering infrastructures will eventually become inefficient, unreliable and fail.  The issue then is how the existing infrastructure can be sustained to the extent that the functions they are designed to perform will not be compromised. To this end, this study researched into sustainability strategies that can be adopted in engineering infrastructure maintenance. Data will be collected for purpose of extracting information on deployable strategies, including the use of Public engineering infrastructure in Southwestern part of Nigeria as case study. The study later recommended strategies than can be adopted to aid this present generation provide solution to their environmental needs without compromise ability of future generation to meet their needs, which concept of sustainability has birthed. Key Words: Sustainability, Strategy, Infrastructure and Maintenance