Analysis of Factors Responsible for Efficiency Losses in Construction Projects in Nigeria.

Abstract

The construction industry is the economic prime mover of nations and it influences and propels infrastructural provision and development. Labour Efficiency losses on construction works have denied the reaping of the full benefits of the industry; as it has led to cost and time overruns, poor quality, claims and disputes. This study adopts exploratory factor analysis to analyse the factors responsible for efficiency losses in construction projects in Abuja, Nigeria. The data gathered through the self-administration of questionnaires using simple random sampling techniques, were analysed using Percentages, frequencies and factor analysis (FA). The study found that the major cluster of factors responsible for efficiency losses are; construction method and poor documents, Communication and materials related causes, Poor supervision and planning, Equipment installation related causes, and industrial action and weather related causes. It was concluded that both private and public construction projects suffer s from efficiency losses. Accurate timing and scheduling of projects activities, efficient communications, use of experienced supervisory staff and staff training and retraining on modern construction methods were advocated to eliminate labour loss efficiencies.