PROCUREMENT STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION ADOPTION IN HOUSING PROJECT DELIVERY IN ABUJA

Abstract

ABSTRACT While there is the need to address the various issues influencing sustainable housing delivery, contract procurement strategies adopted for a project execution influences its delivery in quite a number of ways. Wrong conceptualization by the project team often lead to untimely and poor quality delivery, increased cost and worst of all, project abandonment, with its associated environmental, economic and social effects and thereby leaves the involved stakeholders unsatisfied after possession of the housing have been concluded by prospective home-owner. Hence this study aimed to establish efficient contract procurement strategies for the delivery of government housing projects with a view to enhance adoption of sustainability in low and middle income housing provision. To achieve this aim, quantitative research approach was employed and descriptive statistical tools was used to analyse the data gathered from construction professionals who are stakeholders in housing provisions in Abuja, Nigeria. From the results of analysis, the study concludes that procurements strategies that enhance adoption of sustainable construction practices in housing development are Project Management and Design & Build procurement strategies. The drivers for selection of procurement method were grouped under three headings; Project, Design and Management related drivers. Thus the study concludes that five project related drivers (availability of construction resources (MS value 4.817), project innovation (MS 4.437), project cost (MS 4.437), project scope (MS 4.225) and project complexities (MS 4.177)) influences clients and project team choice of procurement method. While, for design related drivers, construction materials specification, design team experience, construction method and revision, change order by clients and design error were the design related drivers. Also, for management related drivers; project monitoring and evaluation, risk management, efficient management strategy and decision-making process were the most influential drivers. The study concludes on influence of project key parameters of cost, time and quality showed that, project management, Management contracting, design and build and PPP variants are the most responsive procurement methods that ensure housing project delivery at affordable cost are the most efficient procurement methods that ensure timely delivery of housing project were; project management, design and build, management contracting and PPP variants. On the quality of housing project; project management, management contracting, design and build, and PPP variants are the most efficient procurement methods that enhance delivery of quality housing project. On the benefits of the identified procurement strategy in relation to use of construction materials, labour and plant revealed the most beneficial procurement strategy that ensure effective, efficient and waste free construction works are; Management Contracting, PPP variants, Project management and Design and Build method. These procurements method were most beneficial to prudent management of construction materials. This study also showed that management contracting Design and Build, Project management, and direct labour procurements methods as the most beneficial methods that ensure efficient human resources usage and assures best productivity.