ASSESSMENT OF LEAN TECHNIQUES FOR BUILDING MATERIALS WASTE MINIMISATION IN ABUJA, NIGERIA

Abstract

Lean construction techniques have been known globally as production system with a high capacity of waste minimisation. However, previous studies revealed a sub-optimal understanding of the construction professionals on the relevant lean techniques for building material waste minimisation in Nigeria. Thus, this paper assessed lean techniques for material waste minimisation in building projects in Abuja, Nigeria. The study adopted a survey design approach using quantitative data. Data was purposively collected using well-structured questionnaire administered to 320 construction practitioners (project managers, contractors, heads of waste management departments, and consultants) of 80-active building construction sites that are practicing lean within Abuja. A total of 189 questionnaires were retrieved from the 320 distributed. The collected data was analysed using frequencies, percentages and Relative Importance Index (RII). The study revealed that the lean techniques relevant to the pre-construction stage of building projects are: visual management; waste disposal management; and space utilisation management, with average RII values of 0.78. The research also found that the most important lean techniques relevant to the construction stage of building materials waste minimisation are: optimise value/value identification, good supply chain management, and visual management. Based on these findings it can be concluded that the lean techniques advanced in this paper are relevant in building material waste minimisation. Adoption and implementation of the lean techniques would translate into a drastic reduction in the quantity of material waste generation in building construction projects in Nigeria