IMPACT OF RISK FACTORS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF HIGHER EDUCATIONAL BUILDING PROJECTS IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Building projects in higher institution of learning seems to be on the increase. However, the management of risks in educational building projects has been recognized as a very important process for achieving the project objectives in terms of time, cost, quality, safety and environmental sustainability. Previous researches have focused on some aspects of building risk management rather than using a systematic and holistic approach to identify risks, analyze the likelihood of occurrence, its impacts on building and determine relative measures in reducing each factor identified. Therefore, this study aims to assess the impact of risk factors on the performance of higher educational building projects in Ekiti State with a view to providing measures for reducing its impact on the performace of building projects. The study was based on four higher institutions of learning in Ekiti State, including Federal University Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State University Ado-Ekiti (EKSU) and College of Education IkereEkiti. Copies of the research questionnaire were distributed to client representatives in the higher institutions, contractors and consultants. A total of 197 questionnaires were administered, while 118 were retrieved and analysed representing 70.7% of the total population. The data collected were analysed using mean item score, standard deviation, degree of risk and multiple regression analysis. Findings from the study revealed that communication inadequacies ranked as the highest risk in terms of frequency of occurrence, while subcontractors’ incompetence ranked as the highest factor having much impact on the performance of higher educational building projects. Ten (10) significant factors were found to have impact on cost and time performance on educational projects in the study area. The study recommends that effective administrative measures and documentation, risk assessment strategies and effective communication should be put in place by construction professionals engaged in higher educational building projects.