Factors Causing Material Wastage on Construction
Project delivery in Benin City, Edo state
FEATURED PAPER
By Joses Omoowiye Eguabor and Edosa Mark Osazuwa
Department of Quantity Surveying.
University of Benin, Nigeria
Abstract
Material wastage remains a persistent challenge affecting construction efficiency in developing cities. This study investigates the major causes of material wastage on construction sites, identifying design changes, poor storage, inaccurate estimation, procurement inefficiencies, and inadequate supervision as dominant factors. Using survey responses from construction professionals, the research establishes that wastage originates from both managerial and operational failures. The study recommends integrated material management systems and improved site coordination to minimize losses.
Keywords: Material wastage, construction management, estimation accuracy, site supervision, procurement
- Introduction
Construction waste is the solid waste that arises from construction, renovation and demolition activities. The construction industry plays a vital role in meeting the needs of society and enhancing quality life. The construction industry contributes to the socioeconomic growth of any nation by improving the quality of life and providing the infrastructure such as roads, hospital, schools and other basic facilities. Hence, it is imperative that construction projects are completed within the scheduled period of time, within the budgeted cost and meets the anticipated quality. However, being a complex industry, it is faced with the severe problem of cost overruns, time overrun, and construction waste (Elikeem, Anglamgne & Ahuma-Smith, 2018).
Construction waste normally constitute large portion of total solid waste that contribute to degradation of the environment (Lu et al. 2018). Construction waste management is often at the top of government agenda. It is also major theme as stipulated in the global green building movement. Material management in construction project is an important function that significantly contributes to the success of a project. Poor management of materials on site during construction process will influence the total project cost, time and quality.. Material wastage is one of the major causes of contractor’s business failure in developing countries (Andualem& Aklilu, 2019). The reduction in construction material waste can significantly help in gaining total profit and gaining economic stability for a country and construction firms. Project managers and construction staff usually find it difficult identifying the causes of material waste due to the absence of appropriate tools to measure it (Ibrahim & Winston 2019). Construction site and staff can reduce the material waste with efficient management (Adewuyi & Otali, 2019). The reduction in construction waste can significantly help in increasing total profit and gaining economic stability for a country and construction firms. Wastage of construction is much greater than the minor figures assumed by the companies while estimating cost of the project (Elikem, Anglamgne & Ahuma-Smith, 2018). So, material management is a vital function for improving productivity in construction projects. The management of materials should be considered at all phases of the construction process and throughout the construction and production periods.
There are many ways through which causes of wastage can be identified in construction. Waste can be categorized according to its source. Waste may result from process preceding construction, such as material manufacturing, design and material supply, and planning as well as the construction stage. Wastage in construction site is often due to inadequate storage and protection, poor or multiple handling, poor site control, over ordering of materials, bad stock control, lack of training, and damage of material during delivery. Most researchers categorized these causes into four categories (Adewuyi &Otali, 2019), procurement, handling, operation and culture ; while another researcher (Andualem& Aklilu, 2019) grouped factors generating material wastage into design, procurement, handling of material, and operation.
More…
To read entire paper, click here
How to cite this paper: Osazuwa, E. M., and Eguabor, J. O. (2026). Material Wastage in Construction Projects: Factors Causing Material Wastage on Construction Projects delivery in Benin City, Edo state; PM World Journal, Vol. XV, Issue IV, April. Available online at https://pmworldjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/pmwj163-Apr2026-Eguabor-Osazuwa-Material-Wastage-in-Construction-Projects-in-Benin-City.pdf
About the Authors
Joses Eguabor
Benin City, Nigeria
Joses Omoowive Eguabor is a quantity surveying student with interest in construction project management, cost control and sustainable construction practices. His research focuses on improving project delivery efficiency and reducing material wastage in construction project in Nigeria. He has conducted studies on factors affecting construction project performance and the economic implication on material waste in building industry. His work contributes to advancement of knowledge in construction management and project delivery within developing economies. He is located in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria and can be contacted at Joseseguabor@gmail.com
Edosa Mark Osazuwa
Benin City, Nigeria
Edosa Mark Osazuwa, B.Tech, MTech (Quantity Surveying) serves as a Lecturer I in the Department of Quantity Surveying, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. He can be contacted at osazuwaedosamark@gmail.com
