How to avert spate of abandoned projects in Nigeria – Expert

A civil engineer, Dr Babatunde Lawal, has expressed concern over the duration it takes to complete government projects and the rate of abandonment of such projects.

Lawal gave reasons why projects fail and end up abandoned in an interview with the newsmen in Ibadan on Friday.

He did not fail to proffer some right steps to rectify the situation.

The engineer traced the causes of prolonged project completion and eventual abandonment to political manipulations, dishonesty of government actors, and contractors’ negative attitudes.

Lawal, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Brail Construction, Ibadan, said if these were properly handled, the situation would be checked.

He frowned at other factors such as budgetary issues and complex government bureaucracy.

According to him, most abandoned projects arise out of inadequate funding or poor budgeting.

He added that most of the abandoned projects also suffered inappropriate funding even where there were sufficient budgetary provisions.

“A project that could be done within six months would take two to three years due to the delay in payment and complex bureaucracy.

“We must change the narrative because 15 per cent of mobilisation for a project is grossly inadequate and it cannot take any sincere contractor anywhere,” he said.

Lawal said that available statistics had shown that successive public officials often abandon their predecessors’ projects due to different priorities and political party affiliations.

This, he says, accounts for a sizable number of abandoned projects in the country.

He also identified corruption among civil servants as another obstacle to the successful and timely completion of government projects.

According to him, civil servants scuttle projects once awarded to contractors out of their choice by throwing all manner of impediments on contractors’ paths until such projects are abandoned.

“When our environment is not habitable, then we are all in trouble.

“A number of civil servants are dishonest because everybody is fighting for personal pockets.

“They do not mind what they would go through on abandoned roads when they leave the office,” he said.

Lawal regretted that the nation’s economy is dollar-rated, making galloping inflation a major factor leading to the abandonment of some projects.

“The exchange rate often goes up against the initial project budget.

“Putting inflation into consideration in the formulation and execution of projects can be helpful in the prevention of projects being abandoned,” he said.

The engineering expert also called on the government to avoid awarding projects to incompetent contractors.

According to him, when a contractor is highly indebted to the bank before taking up the new contract, definitely, such a project will be abandoned.

“There is the need to start ensuring effective and efficient project planning, costing, and management; engaging competent contractors to handle projects should not be negotiable.

“Contractors must not prioritise personal gains above quality jobs, and clients must also determine to do due diligence, instead of selecting relatives and political associates to handle projects.

“There must be a prompt resolution of conflicts resulting in litigations to avoid cases of abandoned projects,” he said.