A Second Look: Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Some Issues in Design-Bid-Build Procurement Practice in Nigeria

Abstract

The construction product is an outcome of many procurement possibilities, among which the most dominant has been the design-bid-build (otherwise called the traditional) method. The procurement method's real or perceived drawbacks have warranted or even been rationalized for the emergence of alternative methods. Yet there is a continued use of the method in both private and public sector projects in Nigeria. This study thus sought to investigate stakeholders' perception on the use of the traditional method. 241 questionnaires were administered purposively on construction industry client, consulting and contracting organizations. 100 were received and analyzed through the use of descriptive and inferential statistical tools. Respondents were requested to express their agreement or otherwise with twenty issues raised from literature and practice on the traditional project procurement. The aggregated rankings for the stakeholder organizations show that 'where sought at all, inputs of contractors are at best advisory' ranked first among issues being assessed on traditional project procurement practice. 'Relationships among participants breed mistrust' ranked least among the twenty issues. The results of the analysis further indicate that there are no significant differences between the three stakeholder groups on some selected issues in traditional project procurement practice and documentation. It is recommended that the homogeneity of perceptions about the traditional method can be a springboard and form a baseline for further intervention efforts at improving construction project procurement in Nigeria.

Correlates of Procurement Performance of Traditional and Labour-Only Methods in Nigeria

“…Such strategies include Traditional, Design and Build, Project Management, Direct Labour and Labour-only. Studies of Ogunsanmi, Iyagba and Omirin (2001), Ibiyemi, Adenuga and Odusami (2005), Babatunde, Opawole and Ujaddigbe (2010) and Dada (2012) have all confirmed the use of these methods in Nigeria. Similarly, studies of Rowlinson (1987), Naoum and Langford (1987), Grierson (1988), Franks (1990), Bennett (1992), Hutchinson and Putt (1992) as cited in Ogunsanmi, (2001) also confirm the use of these methods for project delivery elsewhere in the World.…”

“…criteria. Study of Dada (2012) is on Traditional procurement and it indicates that the method has been long used for both public and private projects. It further considers the perceptions of stakeholders on issues of Traditional procurement.…”

Effects of Procurement Related Factors on Construction Project Performance in Nigeria

“…Different studies have confirmed the use of various types of procurement methods for project delivery in Nigeria. Studies of Ogunsanmi, Iyagba and Omirin (2003), Ojo, Adeyemi and Fagbenle (2006), and Dada (2012) all confirm the use of Traditional, Design and Build, Project Management, Construction Management, Labouronly, Direct Labour and other types such as Alliancing, Partnering and Joint Ventures procurements in the Nigerian construction industry. The use of these procurement methods can significantly affect the performance of most projects.…”

Appraising the use of labour-only procurement system for building construction in Nigeria

“…The construction industry in Nigeria is fast growing with its activities having a direct bearing on the national economy. According to Dada (2012), the industry is important for the growth and development of the country. This is evident in its provision and maintenance of infrastructures.…”