AN ASSESSMENT OF RISK IN CIVIL ENGINEERING PROJECTS IN KWARA NIGERIA

Abstract

The construction industry is known for being very poor compared to other industries in the identification, assessment and management of project related risks. Civil engineering projects in particular are riskier due to the nature, complexity and enormous amount of resources required thereby leading to ineffective project delivery. The study assessed Risk Impact in Civil Engineering Projects and appropriate mitigating measures. This study aimed at evaluating the potential risk factors associated with civil engineering projects with the view to achieving overall project objectives. Data were collected through the administration of a questionnaire to construction professional experts in civil engineering project which include Architects, Quantity surveyors, and Engineers. A Forty-Eight risk factors were identified from the literature review and were used as basis for a questionnaire survey. A total of one hundred and seventy-five (175) questionnaire were administered; one hundred and nineteen (119) were retrieved and analyzed using percentile, mean item score and cross-tab analysis for the identified factors with Kwara State being the study area. The study uncovered 10 major risk factors that have a significant impact on civil engineering projects as financial difficulties, Incomplete design, Variation, Unstable inflationary trend and Delay in progress payment. Others are Design team experience, Time allowed for design, Contractor's experience, inadequate programme planning and foreign exchange rate. The study also revealed that avoiding the risk, transfering the risk, sharing and retaining the risk are the leading risk response strategies appropriate for the risk factors under study. The study recommend that risk analysis should be conducted at the early stage of the project to identify and evaluate project related risks and allocate these risks to a party or parties suitable to control them. This will enhance timely delivery of the project and within budgeted sum. It further recommended that there is need for the project stakeholders to work cooperatively from the feasibility stage onward to tackle potential risk in time and contractor with robust construction and management knowledge must be engaged early to make sound preparation for delivery of the project. The practical implication of the study is that it will enable the client and the contractor to understand the highly risky factors in civil engineering project and where applicable, assign responsibility for those who are best suited to control them.