and Selection Factors for Delivery
of High-Rise Building Projects
in Abia State Nigeria
FEATURED PAPER
By Ihuoma Chijioke Ohajuru I, Ibeawuchi Ifeanyi Echeme II, Emmanuel Chinenye Ubani II
I Procurement Department,
Abia State Universal Basic Education Board,
Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria
II Department of Project Management Technology,
Federal University of Technology
Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
Assessment of materials handling equipment selection factors for successful execution of high-rise building projects in Abia State is the title of this study. The objectives are to: identify the primary material handling equipment used in the construction of high rise building projects; determine the major factors in the selection of material handling equipment for the successful implementation of high-rise building project delivery; determine the degree to which each of these factors influences the selection of material handling equipment in the successful implementation of high-rise construction projects; ascertain the degree to which these factors collectively affect the selection of material handling equipment in the successful implementation of high-rise building projects and; ascertain the most crucial factor in the selection of materials handling equipment for the effective implementation of high-rise building projects for decisive purposes. A descriptive survey research design was used, and questionnaires were used to collect data. The information gathered from 167 respondents was examined using multiple regression analysis, descriptive statistics and relative importance index. According to the findings, tower cranes and concrete pumps are the most common types of equipment in Abia State. The main considerations while choosing equipment for high-rise buildings in Abia State are job requirements, reliability, and cost. Tower cranes and concrete pumps are recommended by the study as the best material handling equipment. For high-rise building projects to be implemented successfully, the selection of suitable material handling equipment should also take job requirements, equipment reliability, and related costs into account.
Keywords: materials handling equipment, high-rise building, job requirement, equipment reliability, project success
1.0 Introduction
High-rise or tall buildings are becoming more common due to a number of factors, including land scarcity, growing demand for commercial and residential space, economic growth, technological advancements, innovations in structural systems, the desire for aesthetics in urban settings, cultural significance, and prestige, which inspire human aspiration to build higher structures (Echeme, 2021; Proverbs, Holt & Love, 2019). Building a high-rise is a difficult engineering task that requires accuracy, safety, and the appropriate equipment. It is not just about stacking floors. The equipment used on-site must be more robust, quicker, and dependable as structures get taller. MKG (2026), claim that as they provide hoisting and lifting solutions on major construction sites in India, builders witness the above scenario on a daily basis. However, materials management is a crucial component of any building project (Mtandt, 2025). According to MKG (2026), selecting material handling equipment (MHE) for high-rise projects necessitates striking a balance between site safety, load capacity, and vertical height. Concrete pumps, construction hoists for workers and supplies, and tower cranes for heavy lifting are examples of essential materials handling equipment. Site limitations, safety compliance, project timeline speed, material type, and structural load capability are important selection criteria (MKG, 2026).
In the construction sector, having the appropriate equipment can significantly lower labor costs, increase safety, and boost project efficiency. Depending on the materials being carried, the size of the project, and the conditions at the project site, different kinds of material handling equipment are deployed. Good project management in construction must actively pursue the efficient utilization of labor, material, and equipment, and labor productivity should be a major and ongoing concern for those in charge of controlling the cost of constructed facilities. To cut costs, material handling, which includes inventory, shop fabrication, field servicing, and procurement, needs special consideration (Echeme, 2021). In recent decades, significant advancements in construction technology have been made feasible by the employment of new machinery and creative techniques. It is understandable that organizations that have failed to adapt to changing surroundings and acknowledge the influence of various technologies have been pushed out of the mainstream of building operations.
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How to cite this paper: Ohajuru, I. C., Echeme, I. I., Ubani, E. C. (2026). Material Handling Equipment Identification and Selection Factors for Delivery of High-Rise Building Projects in Abia State Nigeria; PM World Journal, Vol. XV, Issue VIII, August. Available online at https://pmworldjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/pmwj167-Aug2026-Ohajuru-et-al-Mtl-Handling-Equip-Selecton-Factors.pdf
About the Authors
Ihuoma Chijioke Ohajuru
Abia State, Nigeria
Ihuoma Chijioke Ohajuru is the Head of Procurement at Abia State Universal Basic Education Board, Umuahia; an Agency charged with the primary responsibility of management of the entire Basic Education Sub-sector in Abia State. He led the management of the entire procurement process of the Abia SUBEB in the implementation of the UBE year 2020 to 2025 projects for qualitative basic education delivery. With over 26 years of experience in educational planning and management, Ihuoma Chijioke Ohajuru, prior to his current role, has served as a Director Planning Research and Statistics where he led the team for the production of the Ministry’s Education Sector Plan (ESP) 2024-2034 to guide the transformation of the entire Abia State Basic and Secondary Education System and production of the year 2024-2027 Abia State Medium Term Basic Education Strategic Plan (ASMTBESP).
He served also as Technical Lead for the securing of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) System Transformation Grant for Abia State Foundational Learning by production of Abia State Theory of Change Document for holistic Basic Educational Reform for Foundational Literacy and Numeracy. He has also served as Abia State Technical lead and Coordinator for the conduct of National Personnel Audit year 2022 in the State for the updating of Abia State Basic Education Data as well as served as the Abia State Digital Annual Census Committee year 2025 for basic education data collection, collation and dissemination.
Has bachelor of Technology degree in Project Management at Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) and is currently studying as a master’s degree student at Federal University of Technology Owerri. He is also a key resource personnel in educational planning and management for ensuring improved educational outcome in the state and nation at large. He can be reached at ihuomaohajuru@gmail.com
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 Sixty (60) articles in both international and national reputable journals. Dr. Echeme has published a textbook on 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
Emmanuel C. Ubani, PhD
Owerri, Nigeria
Prof. Emmanuel C. Ubani holds BSc. and MEng in Industrial Engineering; PhD in Project Management Technology. Former Head, Department of Project Management Technology, and former Associate Dean, School of Management Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri. He is a member of Nigeria Society of Engineers (MNSE), Fellow Institute of Industrial Administration (FIIA). He has published widely in both International and local Journals.
