ASSESSMENT OF INVOLVEMENT OF PROFESSIONALS IN THE PUBLIC BUILDING PROJECTS IN AKURE, ONDO STATE

Abstract

The Construction industry plays a major role of providing physical development through the provision of infrastructure for both individual, government and private bodies. This enhances the living standard improved of the gross domestic product. In the light of this, it is expected that construction professionals should discharge their duties with utmost compliance to professional ethics and standards. Therefore, this study assessed the involvement of professionals in the public building projects with a view to determining their contributions to successful implementation of these projects in Akure, Ondo State. Using survey research design, the study sought for the opinion of 126 respondents randomly selected from a population of two hundred and six (206) professionals in the study area. Data were collected with the aid of questionnaire designed for the purpose. The study used descriptive statistic (tables, frequency and percentage distribution and mean) and inferential statistic (Regression analysis) for the analysis of the data collected. The study revealed that architects (4.16), structural Engineers (3.96), builders (3.90), Quantity surveyors (3.81), Project managers (3.65) and land surveyors (3.63) (in order of level of involvement) are mainly involved in the execution of public building projects in the study area. The study also discovered that the effect of professionals’ involvement in public building project on the delivery of public building projects is insignificant at 95% level (p= 0.058; p ≥ 0.05) with implication that these professionals cannot solely ensure the delivery of public building projects according to the predetermined plan and objectives but must be complemented by other necessary stakeholders. In addition, the involvement of professionals in the public building projects in the study area is being inhibited mostly by the engagement of unqualified professional or quacks (4.18), politicking (4.15), poor salary and incentive (3.94). The study suggested that qualified construction practitioners should be engaged in execution of public building projects in addition to provision of effective communication channels to foster easy collaboration among the project stakeholders