Project Performance in Imo State, Nigeria
FEATURED PAPER
By John Obioma Ndubueze and Ibeawuchi Ifeanyi Echeme, PhD
Federal University of Technology Owerri
Owerri, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
This study analyzed the cost and time variations of road construction project performance in Imo State. The objective is to determine the level of variance with respect to cost and schedule performances of road projects in Imo State. Survey method was used in the study where the performance of 19 road construction projects was evaluated. Earned Value Analysis technique were used to analyze the project data collected. The results indicate that 15 out of the 19 road construction project surveyed suffered cost and time variations at various level of completion stages. Only 4 road construction projects were successfully completed within the planned cost and time specifications. Hence, the study concludes that there is need for construction firms to judiciously apply the techniques of Earned Value Analysis (EVA) management, especially, during project monitoring and control. Based on the above conclusion, the study recommends for the proper planning, effective and efficient payment arrangement as well as reduction in the scope of variation in order to guarantee enhanced road project performance.
Keywords: Time and cost variations, Road construction, Project performance, Earned value analysis, cost overrun, schedule variances
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The variations experienced in most road construction projects in Imo State have been attributed to many factors which could be related human or materials. Road construction project performance is no doubt usually affected by many factors. Every investor wants to be sure of the project scope, quality, time and cost. This is because challenges that affect project successful completion have far reaching effects, especially on the owner’s interest (Echeme, 2018). Based on the prevailing globally economic landscape, project owners are scaling down or eliminating capital construction projects due to lack of financing, uncertainty over costs, poor management and concerns about potential delays that could impact the feasibility basis of project (Echeme & Nwaribe, 2020; Akpan, 2009).
In Ghana, study reveal increasing cost overruns, delays in completion, unsatisfactory and unmet project objectives in most road construction projects (Gambo, 2008). In South Africa, Olatunji (2010) reveal that clients and project team do not have a comprehensive understanding of road projects from inception to completion stages. In Nigeria, Aibinu and Jagboro (2002), warned that road construction delay has become endemic and a lot of funds have been lost as a result of delays in construction projects. They posited that most of the identified factors of delay are traceable to human and material related issues. In Imo State, many road projects failed to be completed in time causing cost overruns. This can be seen from the 19 road construction projects evaluated in this study as shown in Table 1.
Worse case is the fact that a good number of them have accumulated a lot of money but have not been successfully completed. For example, the Avuvu-Amakohia road project, which was scheduled to be completed in seven months, has taken up to thirty-eight months with a case of huge cost overruns due to change in scope and price variations even as the road project is uncompleted. However, some road projects are near completion but with very poor quality workmanship. Irrespective of the previous suggestions made by relevant authors, the problem still persist as more road construction projects in the State are being delayed which attract subsequent abandonment leading to waste of resources released for developmental purposes. However, research to underscore the level of variations in the achievement of cost and time objectives of these road construction projects are lacking. It is against this background that this study mounted to seek to cover for this gap by analyzing the extent of variations in the time and cost performance of road construction projects in Imo State.
Most construction projects executed in Imo State show signs of fatigue due to different levels of cost and time overruns even as most of them are at various completion stages (Akpan, Echeme & Ubani, 2017). However, these abysmal performances of construction projects have been attributed to various factors ranging from human to materials factors (Echeme & Nwaribe, 2020, Amade et al., 2014, Onyekwena, 2012). There is no doubt that the current economic landscape, project owners are scaling down or eliminating capital construction projects due to lack of financing, uncertainty over costs, poor management and concerns about potential delays that could impact the feasibility basis of project (Echeme, 2018). Authors have also pointed out that the factors which affect successful completion of road projects include planning, project team competence and experience (Onyekwena, 2012).
However, the objective of this study is to analyze the level of variations in the cost and time objectives road construction projects in Imo State.
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How to cite this paper: Ndubueze, J.O., Echeme, I.I. (2025). Analysis of Cost and Time Variations of Road Construction Project Performance in Imo State, Nigeria; PM World Journal, Vol. XIV, Issue IX, September. Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/pmwj156-Sep2025-Ndubueze-Echeme-Cost-and-Time-Variations-of-Road-Construction-in-Imo-State.pdf
About the Authors
John Obioma Ndubueze
Owerri, Nigeria
John Ndubueze holds a Master of Science (MSc.) degree in Project Management and a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, both from the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) He completed his secondary education in Lagos State, Nigeria.
He began his professional career in the power sector, later transitioning into the information sector before advancing into the oil and gas industry. Over the years, he has successfully executed diverse projects across these fields, demonstrating versatility, technical expertise, and strong leadership in project delivery.
Ibeawuchi Ifeanyi Echeme, PhD
Owerri, Nigeria
Ibeawuchi Ifeanyi Echeme is a lecturer in the department of Project Management Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri. Echeme has a B.Tech, MSc, and PhD in Project Management Technology and has published more than fifteen (15) articles in both international and national reputable journals. Dr. Echeme has published textbooks on Project Management Basics for Beginners and Professionals and; Project Time, Cost and Quality Management.
He is a Chartered member of Chartered Institute of Project Managers Nigeria (CIPMN), Chartered member, Association of Practicing Project Managers of Nigeria (APPMON), Certified Project Director (CPD) and a member of International Project Management Professionals (IPMP). Dr. Echeme has presented papers in conferences and workshops within and outside Nigeria. He can be contacted through; ibeecheme@yahoo.com; Tel +2348032403835.
