Reimagining Work: The Impact Of Ai On Nigeria’S Employment Structures And Gig Economy
Henry Chukwudi Wokocha
Department of Quantity Surveying, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Abstract
Abandoned construction projects present significant challenges to clients, contractors, and the broader Nigerian economy. This study investigates the root causes and impacts of project abandonment using a combination of primary and secondary data sources. Data were collected from selected abandoned projects across three major Nigerian cities. The study utilized statistical tools, particularly measures of central tendency (mean score), to evaluate and analyze the primary causative factors and the associated consequences of construction project abandonment.
Findings indicate that key factors contributing to project abandonment include inadequate planning, insufficient funding, inflation, contractor bankruptcy, project scope variation, faulty designs, delayed payments, and the prevalence of unqualified professionals (quackery). Among these, fund-related issues—such as unanticipated inflation, inaccurate cost estimations, and financial insolvency—were identified as having a particularly high propensity to result in abandonment.
The consequences of such abandonment are far-reaching, encompassing resource wastage, reduced employment opportunities, a slowdown in construction sector activities, and diminished government revenue. The study emphasizes that strategic financial planning during the conceptual phase of construction projects is crucial to mitigating these risks.
It recommends that stakeholders prioritize robust capital budgeting and realistic cost estimation early in the project lifecycle. Doing so would significantly reduce the occurrence of abandonment, enhance construction sector performance, and contribute to sustainable economic development in Nigeria