ADOPTION OF COST-EFFECTIVE APPROACH TO MATERIAL WASTAGE REDUCTION IN THE NIGERIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
ADEBAYO, DAUDA ADESHINA, Volume 6 Issue 1, 2022 Pages 69-75, Published: 2023-06-23
Abstract
This research investigated management of material wastage in Nigeria construction industry. The objectives of the study are to examine the different construction phases at which wastage of materials occurs, to identify the causes of material wastage and to proffer strategies to curb material wastage. Quantitative approach was adopted for the research. The target population for the research comprised of site supervisors and foremen whose sites are located within Eti-Osa local government area of Lagos state. Respondents for the research were randomly selected and eighty (80) copies of structured questionnaire were used to collect data from respondents. The data collected were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The study concludes that poor recruitment process, poor procurement process, construction planning, as well as methods of construction deployed are the most common factors that aid materials wastage in the Nigeria construction industry; meanwhile, it was further noted that lack of experience, poor site management, improper materials processing, errors in design are the most common causes of materials wastage in the Nigerian construction industry. The study reveals that the common phases at which material wastage occurs includes storage, operation / construction and finishing, among others. Professionalism, mutual consultation among construction professionals, inclusiveness and consistent reviews are among the strategies that can be used to curb material wastage in the Nigerian construction industry. The research recommends that construction stakeholders should formulate, implement and enforce a sustainable policy on material waste management in the Nigerian construction industry; proper storage facilities should be provided for materials to prevent damages which can lead to wastage. Also, adequate specification should be made available during design phases to aid materials procurement, while construction personnel should be properly trained on the importance of good material management and waste prevention.