Assessing the Underlying Strategies for Effective Minimization of Disputes in Nigerian Construction Industry

Abstract

Dispute has been observed as a common phenomenon in the construction process and has constituted several problems to project actors and the construction industry. The dilemma has led to project delays, time/cost overrun and poor project delivery in the global construction industry. This research was conducted to find out the underlying strategies that can be adopted for effective minimization of disputes in the Nigerian construction industry. To achieve this aim, a survey research design was adopted in the study. The approach was adopted for robust data collection. In the survey research design, oral interview and questionnaire were the instrument used for data collection. The oral interview was first conducted with 16 construction stakeholders in five selected firms in Abuja. The data obtained in the interview study were analysed through content analysis. The findings from the interview exercise served as the basis for preparation of a questionnaire that was later administered to some randomly selected construction firms in the study context. The data obtained from the questionnaire study were analysed through descriptive statistics. The findings from the study show that lack of understanding and agreement on the type of contract, contractual payment, bridge of contract, and differing site condition are the main causes of disputes in the Nigerian construction industry. The study concluded that adequate knowledge of contractual document before the start of a project, bringing up contract conditions that are fair to all parties and maintaining a good relationship between the clients, professionals and workers are the underlying strategies that can be adopted to overcome disputes in Nigerian construction projects.