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Evaluation of Quality Assessment System

for Building Contractors in Lagos, Nigeria

 

FEATURED PAPER

By Ngozi Marykate Okoye1, Kevin Chuks Okolie1, Nathan Ndubisi Agu2

  1. Department of Building, Nnamdi Azikiwe University
  2. Department of Quantity Surveying, Nnamdi Azikiwe University

Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

 


 

ABSTRACT

This study assesses the quality systems for building contractors in Lagos with the aim of developing guidelines for a quality assessment system that can be applied by any building contractor in Lagos state Nigeria. In order to achieve this aim, the study looked at the quality systems that are currently in place, and their impact on the contractors’ performance. Quantitative data were obtained from senior managers, project managers, engineers, architects, quantity surveyors, and technical managers working with building construction companies in the Lagos Metropolitan Area using the mixed method approach. Descriptive case study was adopted while one sample student’s t-test and principal component analysis techniques were employed. Findings indicate that the major quality assessment method used by Lagos contractors in construction industry is the observation/physical inspections method. The findings also provided that this quality assessment method has a significant positive impact on project delivery in the area. Based on these findings, it was recommended among others that the Lagos QAS should emphasize the use of objective and statistical quality assessment approaches. They should also encourage the integration of information technology in the quality assessment process.

Keywords: Quality Systems, Building Contractor, Quality Assessment

 

  1. INTRODUCTION

Development of an effective quality assessment system for a given industry begins with the identification of quality indicators relevant to the industry. The construction industry is one of the significant pillars in Lagos economy. In recent years, this industry has been characterized with a myriad of problems including low levels of customer satisfaction, increased competition, and heightened safety concerns. In order to overcome these challenges and increase performance, building contractors need to change how they manage quality.

The construction industry contributes 1% employment opportunities to Nigerians (Ding, 2008). According to the World Bank, an active industry should contribute at least 3.2% of the employment opportunities in the country (Elinwa& Joshua, 2001). According to Idiake, Shittu, Anunobi, &Akanmu, (2015), the construction industry in Nigeria can create more jobs if it upholds quality. Despite overall growth and good performance, Shittu, Idiake, and Akanmu, (2015) observed that the last decade was characterized by declining level of clients’ satisfaction with the built facilities due to perceived poor quality. In addition to quality, other major problems affecting the clients’ perception and overall performance of the industry include time and cost overruns (Oladinrin& Ho, 2015).

In this regard, it is imperative for leaders in the construction industry in Nigeria, including financiers of construction projects and government agencies responsible for overseeing and monitoring these projects to introduce radical change in industry practice in order to guarantee quality (Rashvand, Majid& Pinto, 2015). This can be done through the development of a quality evaluation methodology to analyze, gauge and rate the performance of different contractors.

Quality assurance in the industry should also include consideration for cost and time implication. Quality practices not only focus on producing quality buildings in terms of aesthetics, durability and functionality, it also focuses on reducing the cost and time implications of the completed project. Utilization of new and improved technology can help contractors provide quality services at reduced costs and using shorter time spans (Zeng, Tam, & Tam, 2015). For instance, the use of prefabricated segments in construction has been shown to reduce significantly the time and cost implications of a construction project. Crucial to delivering quality in construction projects is engaging in quality planning. With reliable quality and planning, the construction industry would not only expand, it would survive social change and become the key economic driver well into the future.

To date, numerous buildings including residential houses have collapsed, killing many people and injuring scores to others. The damages caused by collapsing buildings differ from time to time. For instance, on September 12, 2014, a six-storey guesthouse at the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Lagos State collapsed, killing 115 and injuring 131, and sparking a national dialogue on building safety (Babatunde, Perera, Zhou &Udeaja, 2015). Incidents of collapsed buildings are common in Nigeria with most cases being reported in Lagos. Between 2007 and 2012, national statistics indicate that there were 130 cases of collapsed buildings in Lagos State while nationwide, more than 135 buildings were reported to have collapsed in the year 2013. This high rate of building collapses can be attributed to poor workmanship and utilization of poor quality materials. Hence, Wahab and Lawal (2011) noted that, although the construction industry in Nigeria is well developed and continues to mature, there is no reliable standard quality assessment system.

More so, most contractors use substandard construction implements and materials, and this reduces the quality of buildings while at the same time increasing the time it takes to finish such projects (Kam and Abdul Hamid, 2015). Previous researchers also observed that the construction industry in Nigeria suffers from lack of local skilled labourers, power shortages and unavailability of reliable and quality building materials and this affects significantly the quality of facilities (Oyedele et al., 2015). Consequent upon these, the study is set out to develop a quality assessment system for building contractors in Lagos State Nigeria, so as to improve the performance of their building construction projects in the area.

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How to cite this paper: Okoye, N.M., Okolie, K.C., Agu, N.N. (2019). Evaluation of Quality Assessment System for Building Contractors in Lagos, Nigeria; PM World Journal, Vol. VIII, Issue VIII, September.  Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/pmwj85-Sep2019-Okoye-Okolie-Agu-evaluation-of-quality-assessment-in-lagos.pdf

 


 

About the Authors

 

Ngozi M. Okoye

Profile not yet provided

maky444@yahoo.com

 

 


Dr. Kevin C. Okolie

Nnamdi Azikiwe University
Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

 

 

Dr Kevin C. Okolie is a senior lecturer and Head of the Department of Building at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Anambra State Nigeria. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Construction Management from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth South Africa. His research interest lies in the development of Building Performance Evaluation Methodology, Health and Safety Management and Built Asset Management Systems. His published papers and articles on Construction and Facilities Management have appeared in many international conferences and peer reviewed journals.

Email: kevinokolie@rocketmail.com  or kc.okolie@unizik.edu.ng

 

 


Dr. Nathan Agu

Nnamdi Azikiwe University
Enugu State, Nigeria

 

 

Dr. Nathan Agu is a senior lecturer in the Department of Quantity Surveying, Nnamdi Azikiwe University and the principal partner of Nathquants Associates, a firm of chartered Quantity Surveyors based in Enugu State, Nigeria. His research interests are in professional practice management and construction arbitration. He has a number of notable professional achievements as a professional quantity surveyor and has contributed immensely to the development of the quantity surveying profession in Nigeria. He is also a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (FNIQS) and a registered member of the Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN). You can reach him on nathquants@yahoo.com