The pervasiveness of cost overruns on construction projects has been an issue of great concern. M... more The pervasiveness of cost overruns on construction projects has been an issue of great concern. Many studies have been carried out worldwide to address the problem. However, there is dearth of literature on Nigerian road construction projects cost overruns. This study focused on determining the extent of cost overruns on Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) road construction projects and identifying the most significant of the causes. The study used questionnaire survey, interviews and examination of road construction documents to obtain data. Measure of discrepancy, relative index and thematic analysis were used for the data analysis. The study revealed different causes of cost overruns for the different methods employed. Analysis of the questionnaire survey data showed that inflation, fluctuation of prices, exchange rate, government related issues like changes in policies, and variation were the 5 most significant causes of road construction projects' cost overruns. Examination of construction documents however showed that delays in payment, design changes, and unforeseen ground conditions were the main contributory causes. Yet, interview responses indicated that cost overruns on road construction projects occur due to many diverse reasons. It was therefore concluded that different road projects have different challenges and experience different magnitude of cost overruns that result from various reasons. Therefore, findings on one road are not always applicable to other roads.
The production of sandcrete blocks using groundnut shell ash (GSA) as cement replacement was inve... more The production of sandcrete blocks using groundnut shell ash (GSA) as cement replacement was investigated. Six number sandcrete blocks were cast for each replacement levels (0, 10,20,30,40, and 50 percentage) with GSA. The blocks were cured and crushed at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. The results show that the compressive strength ranges from 4.50 N/mm 2 to 0.26N/mm 2 .The optimum replacement level was achieved at 20% with a corresponding strength of 3.58 N/mm 2 . The strength at the optimum level was within the recommended limit of the Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) 87:2000. The results also showed that the strength decreases with increase of cement above 20% replacement. It was also observed that in the chemical composition of the GSA as compared to cement, the amount of K2O was higher in GSA and also CaO was less than what is obtained in cement.
This article investigates highway pavement failure on critical locations due to poor soil propert... more This article investigates highway pavement failure on critical locations due to poor soil properties along Gombi -Biu Road. Visual observation of the affected areas revealed substantial structural failure. Laboratory test results of the disturbed soil samples collected from the failed sections of the road showed that the natural soil moisture ranged from 7.0% to 15.9%, the liquid limits and Plasticity Indexes did not conform to specification. The CBR values ranged from 5.1% to 31.1% indicating poor soil or strong reduction in the strength of the soil materials used in the construction of the road. Excess fines and very low liquid limit values combined with a very low CBR value to cause the failure of the pavement at this locality. The geotechnical properties indicated substandard paving properties for Nigerian roads. Therefore, soil stabilization is suggested to improve the strength of the soil and prolong the useful life and durability of the road.
This paper assesses the safety culture of the construction industry workforce in Yola, Nigeria. T... more This paper assesses the safety culture of the construction industry workforce in Yola, Nigeria. The study was conducted using a questionnaire survey of the construction workers opinions regarding safety practices on construction sites. Construction workers' attitude toward s safety is influenced by their perception of risk, safety rules and procedures. Lack of training of workers was ranked the most severe factor that hinders workers' safety on site. Reduce accident cost was ranked the most important benefit of safety on site while Poor understanding of the risks associated with the work was ranked second and these could all be attributed to the poor safety culture in the Industry.
This paper examined municipal solid waste from the perspective of household waste management syst... more This paper examined municipal solid waste from the perspective of household waste management system. Questionnaires were randomly distributed to households in eight wards in Jimeta-yola (Yola north local government area). The quantity and composition of waste generated was determined. The average waste generation per household was found to be 0.65kg/capita/day. The composition shows that 67.6% was made up of biodegradable material while 32.4% were recyclable materials. Lack of adequate waste collection system and proximity to dumpsites was attributed to causing dumping by residents in drains/gutters. Open burning is the major method of treatment. Finally the paper suggested sustainable environmental education program by the government to the populace and also the private sector. All should be encouraged to participate fully in the waste management system.
The production of sandcrete blocks using groundnut shell ash (GSA) as cement replacement was inve... more The production of sandcrete blocks using groundnut shell ash (GSA) as cement replacement was investigated. Six number sandcrete blocks were cast for each replacement levels (0, 10,20,30,40, and 50 percentage) with GSA. The blocks were cured and crushed at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. The results show that the compressive strength ranges from 4.50 N/mm 2 to 0.26N/mm 2 .The optimum replacement level was achieved at 20% with a corresponding strength of 3.58 N/mm 2 . The strength at the optimum level was within the recommended limit of the Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) 87:2000. The results also showed that the strength decreases with increase of cement above 20% replacement. It was also observed that in the chemical composition of the GSA as compared to cement, the amount of K2O was higher in GSA and also CaO was less than what is obtained in cement.
Construction projects are complex and dynamic in nature thereby contributing to a significant amo... more Construction projects are complex and dynamic in nature thereby contributing to a significant amount of risks. Most of the time, these risks are not dealt with appropriately and the industry has suffered poor performance as a result. The paper assesses the practices of risk management in the Nigerian Construction Industry in Yola, Adamawa State of Nigeria. Questionnaire survey was carried out and the returned questionnaires were analyzed using the Mean Item Score (MIS) method of descriptive analysis. Insufficient skilled staff was identified as the most important source of risk in construction, lack of risk management knowledge was ranked the most severe factor that militates against the practice of risk management while contribution to project success was ranked as the most important benefit of Risk Management. It is concluded that most of the respondents do not identify risk management to be associated with the achievement of all project objectives in terms of time, cost, quality and environmental sustainability.
The pervasiveness of cost overruns on construction projects has been an issue of great concern. M... more The pervasiveness of cost overruns on construction projects has been an issue of great concern. Many studies have been carried out worldwide to address the problem. However, there is dearth of literature on Nigerian road construction projects cost overruns. This study focused on determining the extent of cost overruns on Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) road construction projects and identifying the most significant of the causes. The study used questionnaire survey, interviews and examination of road construction documents to obtain data. Measure of discrepancy, relative index and thematic analysis were used for the data analysis. The study revealed different causes of cost overruns for the different methods employed. Analysis of the questionnaire survey data showed that inflation, fluctuation of prices, exchange rate, government related issues like changes in policies, and variation were the 5 most significant causes of road construction projects' cost overruns. Examination of construction documents however showed that delays in payment, design changes, and unforeseen ground conditions were the main contributory causes. Yet, interview responses indicated that cost overruns on road construction projects occur due to many diverse reasons. It was therefore concluded that different road projects have different challenges and experience different magnitude of cost overruns that result from various reasons. Therefore, findings on one road are not always applicable to other roads.
The production of sandcrete blocks using groundnut shell ash (GSA) as cement replacement was inve... more The production of sandcrete blocks using groundnut shell ash (GSA) as cement replacement was investigated. Six number sandcrete blocks were cast for each replacement levels (0, 10,20,30,40, and 50 percentage) with GSA. The blocks were cured and crushed at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. The results show that the compressive strength ranges from 4.50 N/mm 2 to 0.26N/mm 2 .The optimum replacement level was achieved at 20% with a corresponding strength of 3.58 N/mm 2 . The strength at the optimum level was within the recommended limit of the Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) 87:2000. The results also showed that the strength decreases with increase of cement above 20% replacement. It was also observed that in the chemical composition of the GSA as compared to cement, the amount of K2O was higher in GSA and also CaO was less than what is obtained in cement.
This article investigates highway pavement failure on critical locations due to poor soil propert... more This article investigates highway pavement failure on critical locations due to poor soil properties along Gombi -Biu Road. Visual observation of the affected areas revealed substantial structural failure. Laboratory test results of the disturbed soil samples collected from the failed sections of the road showed that the natural soil moisture ranged from 7.0% to 15.9%, the liquid limits and Plasticity Indexes did not conform to specification. The CBR values ranged from 5.1% to 31.1% indicating poor soil or strong reduction in the strength of the soil materials used in the construction of the road. Excess fines and very low liquid limit values combined with a very low CBR value to cause the failure of the pavement at this locality. The geotechnical properties indicated substandard paving properties for Nigerian roads. Therefore, soil stabilization is suggested to improve the strength of the soil and prolong the useful life and durability of the road.
This paper assesses the safety culture of the construction industry workforce in Yola, Nigeria. T... more This paper assesses the safety culture of the construction industry workforce in Yola, Nigeria. The study was conducted using a questionnaire survey of the construction workers opinions regarding safety practices on construction sites. Construction workers' attitude toward s safety is influenced by their perception of risk, safety rules and procedures. Lack of training of workers was ranked the most severe factor that hinders workers' safety on site. Reduce accident cost was ranked the most important benefit of safety on site while Poor understanding of the risks associated with the work was ranked second and these could all be attributed to the poor safety culture in the Industry.
This paper examined municipal solid waste from the perspective of household waste management syst... more This paper examined municipal solid waste from the perspective of household waste management system. Questionnaires were randomly distributed to households in eight wards in Jimeta-yola (Yola north local government area). The quantity and composition of waste generated was determined. The average waste generation per household was found to be 0.65kg/capita/day. The composition shows that 67.6% was made up of biodegradable material while 32.4% were recyclable materials. Lack of adequate waste collection system and proximity to dumpsites was attributed to causing dumping by residents in drains/gutters. Open burning is the major method of treatment. Finally the paper suggested sustainable environmental education program by the government to the populace and also the private sector. All should be encouraged to participate fully in the waste management system.
The production of sandcrete blocks using groundnut shell ash (GSA) as cement replacement was inve... more The production of sandcrete blocks using groundnut shell ash (GSA) as cement replacement was investigated. Six number sandcrete blocks were cast for each replacement levels (0, 10,20,30,40, and 50 percentage) with GSA. The blocks were cured and crushed at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. The results show that the compressive strength ranges from 4.50 N/mm 2 to 0.26N/mm 2 .The optimum replacement level was achieved at 20% with a corresponding strength of 3.58 N/mm 2 . The strength at the optimum level was within the recommended limit of the Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) 87:2000. The results also showed that the strength decreases with increase of cement above 20% replacement. It was also observed that in the chemical composition of the GSA as compared to cement, the amount of K2O was higher in GSA and also CaO was less than what is obtained in cement.
Construction projects are complex and dynamic in nature thereby contributing to a significant amo... more Construction projects are complex and dynamic in nature thereby contributing to a significant amount of risks. Most of the time, these risks are not dealt with appropriately and the industry has suffered poor performance as a result. The paper assesses the practices of risk management in the Nigerian Construction Industry in Yola, Adamawa State of Nigeria. Questionnaire survey was carried out and the returned questionnaires were analyzed using the Mean Item Score (MIS) method of descriptive analysis. Insufficient skilled staff was identified as the most important source of risk in construction, lack of risk management knowledge was ranked the most severe factor that militates against the practice of risk management while contribution to project success was ranked as the most important benefit of Risk Management. It is concluded that most of the respondents do not identify risk management to be associated with the achievement of all project objectives in terms of time, cost, quality and environmental sustainability.
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