INFLUENCE OF SELECTED PROCUREMENT METHODS ON DELIVERY OF COMMERCIAL BUILDING PROJECTS IN ABUJA, NIGERIA

Abstract

Project construction in Nigeria is faced with time and cost overrun as a result of the use of wrong procurement methods. The last decade has exposed the declining level of clients’ satisfaction in construction projects. This is as a result of perennial problems of time and cost overruns in addition to the poor quality performance in the Nigerian construction industry. Procurement methods differ from each other in term of allocation of responsibilities, activities sequencing, process and procedure and organizational approach in project delivery. It is therefore imperative to evaluate the influence of procurement methods on the delivery of projects in Abuja, Nigeria. This research assessed the factors influencing the various procurement methods in the delivery of commercial building projects in Abuja with a view to choosing the appropriate procurement method hence improving delivery quality of commercial building projects. Data was collected using well-structured questionnaire. Analysis of data was carried out using Relative Importance Index (RII), Mean Item Score (MIS) and One-way ANOVA. Findings revealed that of the five (5) methods of procurement are frequently used in commercial building construction in Abuja, the design & build system is the most used (RII = 0.79); followed by the Traditional Procurement system (RII = 0.77); then the Public Private Partnership (RII = 0.75) and Management Contracting (0.74); and Direct Labour system is the least frequently used (RII = 0.70). The study also revealed that the strategies for improving the cost (MIS = 3.95), quality (MIS = 3.75) and time (3.67) delivery of commercial building projects in Abuja are effective. It was therefore concluded that the Traditional, Management Contracting and Design & Build procurement systems have significant impact on the delivery of construction projects in Abuja. The study recommended that professionals should properly advise clients to use the appropriate procurement method for the execution of commercial building projects in order to avoid problem with time, cost and quality associated with the project