Comparative Assessment of Construction plant Procurement Methods in Minna and Jos Metropolis

Abstract

This paper focused on comparative assessment of hiring and purchasing construction plants with regards to their cost and benefits and it also carried out an overview of the selection criteria for construction equipment with a view to identifying the method that is more appropriate and better for plant management approach. A review of relevant literature was made in conjunction with questionnaire and oral interviews with plant supervisors, site managers, construction consultants, professionals in the construction industry and stake holders in equipment hiring/leasing firms. In the study, lack of capital outlay for equipment purchase, lack of well-organized hiring firms, high cost of spare parts, lack of proper planning vis a vis equipment record keeping were identified to be the major problems facing the construction industry. Furthermore, results also showed that it is more economical to won than to hire equipment, depending on the frequency of utilization of equipment.