Stakeholders awareness of construction claims management models in Nigerian construction industry

Abstract

Almost all construction disputes are products of inefficient management of construction claims. Several instruments have been developed in studies conducted in many countries of the World for the amelioration of this problem that is prominent at the execution phase of the construction projects. However, the achievement of dispute free construction process in the construction industry in Nigeria is still a mirage. Therefore, this study assessed the level of awareness and utilization of these instruments as well as the reasons for the present level of usage of these instruments. These objectives were achieved through a survey conducted on stakeholders engaged in building projects executed in Ondo State, Nigeria for a period of nine years. Data collected were analysed using percentile, mean score and Kruskal-Wallis K-test. Among the three groups, consultants had the highest level of awareness and were best at using the instruments for managing construction claims. Furthermore, the stakeholders were aware of four out of the eleven identified instruments whereas only two were used by them. In total, 42% of the participants opined that the main reason for low level of usage of the instruments is that, it is not convenient to use the instruments whereas 31% of them agreed that the instruments will not yield the expected results. The implication of this is that the much expected amicable settlement of construction claims dispute is still unattainable; due to inability of the stakeholders to apply the methodologies that can enable them achieve it. The study recommended that adequate sensitisation should be carried out by the professional bodies and the government agencies on the importance of usage of the frameworks, so as to ameliorate the problem of disputed construction claims.

Keywords: Construction claims, Instruments, Level of awareness, Level of usage, Model