Perception Survey of Poor Construction Supervision and Building Failures in Six Major Cities in Nigeria
Mba Okechukwu Agwu *
Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Management Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The paper is a perception survey of poor construction supervision and building failures in six major cities in Nigeria. This was informed by several reported cases of building failure and collapse with its concomitant losses of life and properties. While the paper examined relationship between poor construction supervision and unsustainable building construction practices with regard to incessant building failures in six major cities in Nigeria between September 2012 and August 2013, it assumes sustainable construction principles, efficient and effective supervision and other factors will stem the tide. The paper adopted descriptive research design using 397stratified randomly and area clustered selected registered members of Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) from the six major cities in Nigeria for questionnaire administration. The sample size was determined using Yamane’s formula for sample size determination at 5% level of significance. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results from the data analysis indicated that significant relationship exists between poor construction supervision and unsustainable building construction practices (use of substandard designs, materials, manpower & procedures)/building failures in Nigeria; thus recommended effective monitoring of building projects by government agencies, establishment of building inspectorate, stiffer penalties for non-compliance with approved building plans and provision of low interest mortgage loans.
Keywords: Building failures, construction supervision, construction practices, construction theory, national building code.