DELAY OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN NIGERIA - A REVIEW OF CAUSES, EFFECTS AND SOLUTIONS

This study examined the causes, effects and solutions to the delayed of completion of building projects in Nigeria. Many projects are either abandoned or neglected in Nigeria due to many reasons and its effects on developmental projects. Delay of building construction projects posed challenges to the building professionals, clients, consultants and the contractors. Information was collated through personal contact, administration of questionnaire and review of existing literature and journals which formed the data base. Data collected were analyzed using percentages. The findings reveal that the caus es of delay of building construction projects in Nigeria are lack of funds (8.8%), lack of materials, incomplete drawings and poor communication ranked second (8.4%) while lack of tools and equipment, absenteeism of workers on site, incompetent workers and government policy were ranked third (8%). These were followed by poor site condition, labour, political instability, weather condition and safety on site. The effects of delay of building construction projects in Nigeria are caused due to loss of wealth r anked first (13.20%), waste of time ranked second (12.80%) and negotiations ranked third (12.00%). Followed by disputes between parties, abandonments of building projects, lawsuits to claim damages, litigations to claim rights, over - cost of the contract su m, overtime of workers and inadequate capacity. The main causes, effects and solution to the delay in view of building professionals in the building industry are described.