SOLD BY: CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKROUND OF THE STUDY
Project abandonment has being characterized with lots of challenges on environmental matters, it is a fact to say that, it has served as the basement to so many environmental challenges ranging from poor sanitation, land degradation, lost in property value, social crime e.t.c
Abandon has being defined as “to stop doing something” because there are too many problems and it is impossible to continue (Longman Dictionary). Planning is a foremost thing to be done if projects are to be completely executed Akindoyeni (1989).The successful completion of a project depends on adequate planning which also includes financial planning. The sight of abandoned projects scattered across the length and breadth of Nigeria is alarming.
In Nigeria today, the landscape is littered with abandoned project such as buildings, road, rail way line, ports and other infrastructural projects at all levels of governance from Local Government through the State Government to the Federal. Engineering project is described to be a scheme or an undertaken designed to achieve specific objective(s) of the promoter or client. Although , viewed construction process, operation and maintenance is demanding and requires massive investment whose returns comes very slowly with possible leakage through lack of cash flow management. Unfortunately many of these projects in Nigeria are out rightly abandoned even at conception stage. According to Akindoyeni (1989) “abandonment” refers to structures on which taxes and mortgages are no longer paid, and for which services are neither paid for nor provided. They are unoccupied, vandalized, boarded-up, deteriorated or those which have unmaintained grounds. “Abandonment” can mean an owner ceasing to provide maintenance and operating services to a building, or the loss of an owner’s legal right to a building, or the demolition of a building” Olapade (2011).An abandoned construction project is an uncompleted project in a time frame of a contract. Hence, there is urgent need to look inward and examine critical factors militating against project completion and occupation in accordance with its conception. This study unveils the possible causes and effects of abandoned project on the environment in Zuba town and its environs.
Nigeria has become the “world’s junk-yard of abandoned projects worth billions of naira and it is greatly unthinkable that Nigeria blessed with so great Potentials in the construction industry can experience such magnitude of project abandonment. According to a report by Kotangora (1993) there are about 4000 uncompleted or abandoned project belonging to the Federal Government of Nigeria with an estimated cost of above N 300 billion which will take 30 years to complete at the present execution capacity of government, also according to him this issue of abandonment been left without adequate attention for too long, is now having a multiplier effect on the construction industry in particular and the National economy as a whole. The construction industry plays a very significant role in the economy of any nation. A healthy economy usually experience an increase in construction activities, but in a depressed economy, the incidence of project abandonment tends to be more prevalent. According to Akinolu (1980) delays and cost overruns have “knock on” the effect on the construction industry and indeed in the whole economy. This applies to Nigeria where construction investments account for over 50% of the gross fixed capital formation. Akindoyeni (1989) qualitatively reasoned that some of the causes of project abandonment in Nigeria are: deaths of client, inability of client to attract fund and lack of good planning. This study is set up to quantitatively determine other causes of project abandonment and their effects on the environment. This will help to proffer solutions that will drastically reduce abandonment of projects in Nigeria
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Due to the project abandoned (electronics market) in Zuba town, it has resulted into:
The locality has for long experienced all sort of social crime ranging from armed robbery to prostitution, sales and intake of hard drugs and unlawful substances such as marijuana e.t.c.
The abandoned project has served as home and hideout to perpetrators of unlawful activities thereby posting danger to its immediate environment.
The abandoned project has promoted the activities of fraudsters and fake estate agent, who manipulate and sell to people fake titles to own space in this market,
The outright abandonment of this project gave room for another purpose in the said case study, which is the fruit market and this business activity has contributed to the degradation of the surrounding environment there by affecting the value of land and property around the neighborhood.
1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The aim of this work is to investigate the factors that lead to projects abandonment and its effects on the environment through the following stated objectives.
1. To examine the components of project abandonment.
2. To identify the cause of project was abandonment.
3. To examine the effect of project abandonment on the environment.
1.4 NEED FOR THE STUDY
The research will be of paramount benefit as it brings to bear, clear understanding of the causes and subsequent effects of abandoned project on the environment and how to avoid and correct the existing problems post by the existing abandoned projects. The abandonment has contributed to so many problems faced in the neighborhood which ranges from lost on social cohesion, increase in crime rate, lost in land value e.t.c so it is pertinent to proffer lasting solutions to this challenges.
1.5 RESEARCH QUESTION
From the statement of the problem above the following research questions are pertinent:
Ø What are the features of abandoned projects?
Ø What effect does this have on the environment?
Ø What has the authority in charge done to solve the pending challenge?
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This research will serve as a reference material for subsequent research relating to this topic; the research will aid the community of Zuba town and it surrounding locality to make alternative measure in solving problems related to project abandonment and will also assist the public and private sector make adequate plans as to avoid any failure in the completion of building project which might result to total abandonment.
The findings and recommendation will be a source of useful information to the people of Zuba as it presents to them, measures to drastically reduce the effects of project abandonment.
1.7 ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITATIONS
In the course of this work some important assumption will be made in order to present a clear description and interpretation of the real situation on ground around the case study. Based on the few interaction I hard with the occupants of this abandoned project am making an assumption that very few occupants of this abandoned project truly know the actual purpose for the establishment of the project. Some figures in the course of the research are not actually fact as at the time of compilation, example of these assumption are the actual number of illegal occupants, the total population figure ,the total land mass.
However, the most important limitations encountered in the course of this study ranges from: Financial constraints, time factor, Language factor, Non availability of informed material relating to the topic under writing.
1.8 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The study covers Zuba town in Gwagwalada area council of Abuja, but for the purpose of proper analysis, the study will concentrate mainly on the abandoned electronic market in Zuba. My conceptual scope will be based on the security and social vices implication of the abandoned project.
1.9 DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS
1.9.1 ABANDON
Longman Dictionary defines abandon as “to stop doing something” because there are too many problems and it is impossible to continue. Abandon for the sake of this project can be defined as the act of totally deserting a project for reasons best known to the initiator of the project.
1.9.2 PROJECT
Tamuno and Otto (2000) saw project as an instrument of change, “a coordinated Series of action resulting from policy decision to change resource combination and levels, so as to contribute to the realization of a country’s development objectives”.
Amirize (2004) presented project as “any planned or deliberate programme of activities which can provide the support base, to complement efforts of individuals to enhance their well being and solve their peculiar problems”.
1.9.3 ABANDONED PROJECT
Abandoned projects are defined as projects that meet the following criteria:
· The project is not completed within or later than the delivery date stated in sale and purchase agreement or any other contract document showing the execution of the work and no significant activity is noticed at the construction site for six (6) continuous months and more (Tamonu and Otto 2000).
· Project that post danger to the immediate environment as a result of poor or no usage of the constructed project (Tamonu and Otto 2000).
1.9.4 ENVIRONMENT
Environment is the sum of all external conditions influencing the growth and development of an organism in a population (Tamonu and Otto 2000) it can also be defined as the sum of the surrounding conditions including forces and objects, within which organisms or communities exist. Webster new dictionary defined environment as an aggregate of all external conditions and influences affecting the life and development of an organism. Environment is termed as habitat or a place of existence.
1.9.5 DEVELOPMENT
The town and country planning Decree No. 88 of 1992, defined development as any building and rebuilding operations or any use of land or any building thereon for a purpose which is different from the purpose for which the land or building was last being used. Development can also be defined as the carrying out of any building engineering, mining or other operations in, on, or under land or the making of any material change in the use of any land or building.
1.9.6 PROPERTY
Property has to do with the right that can be exercised in land. the ruling judge in the case of McKeon V. Bisbee G. Califf 137 (1858) defined property as “the exclusive right of possessing, enjoying, and disposing of a thing” Ely (1914) describes property as “bundle of right” which means property comprise of many right in order words, According to Olusegun, E (2002), he sees property as “the aggregate bundle or rights and privileges among people and between a person and his government in relation to a thing. Simply put property refers to as something owned.
1.9.7 PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT
This is the use of land in its broadest sense to obtain a satisfactory environment, taking into consideration the social and economic needs of the society. In fact road construction land clearing, construction of houses, farming activities are all property development (Umeh 1983).
1.10 STUDY AREA
Zuba is located in Gwagwalada area council of Abuja; Nigeria. The town is a boundary between the federal capital territory (Abuja) and Niger state, proximate to it is the ancient city of Suleja. It has an area of 1,043 km²; the time zone is Africa/Lagos with latitude 9.09638890, longitude 7.21277780and a population of 157,770 (2006 census).
Before 1980 Zuba was physically characterized with rocks, mountains (which till date forms part of the land mass of the area) and little or no water source. Majority of the inhabitants of this town are Koro (the indigenes), Igbo, Gbagyi, Ebira and Hausa’s. There major occupation ranges from trade, transportation and manual jobs like laborers, earth excavators, water vendor e.t.c
Zuba is a thriving commercial area in Nigeria. It has a well developed motor spear part and motor circle market, electronics market (abandoned), a rapid growing fruit market close to the case study (electrical electronics market) and few banks to serve the need of the teaming business men and women. There are numerous transportation companies plying north, east, west, and south.
The road network in this town is not too appreciating with a high way running through Lokoja to the far north.
The Abuja (F.C.T) College of education is located towards the exits of the town with an appreciatable number of primary and secondary schools.
The postal code: P.O. box 9280 Garki Abuja. Below is the picture display of the abandoned electrical electronics market in zuba:
Below are shops taken over by fruit sellers in the adjoining market
FIG.ONE.
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITRATURE REVIEW
2.1 INTRODUCTION
Individuals, communities and government at all levels desire development in every facet of human endeavor. No matter how development is defined, the project approach is seen to be most practical, since results are visible and measurable. Projects form part of the basis of assessment of a country’s development. The aim of developmental projects in communities is to improve the well being of the members of the communities where the projects are located. Community projects irrespective of the magnitude are capable of brightening the community and triggering off other developmental activities in the community. Community development projects could be disrupted by the approach adopted by the government or donor agencies, the attitude of the community members on finance and execution of the projects.
When community development projects are abandoned, the effect speaks on both the members of the community, the community and government.
2.2 CONCEPT OF PROJECT
The concept of project has been one of the most conduced and misunderstood concepts, by scholars and professionals associated with the use of the term, “Project”. Students, business men, surveyors, civil servants and engineers use the word project as they deem fit and only to cover the activities they are engaged in, at a given time. The students will complain my project is taking all my time and money, the business men says this is a long term or capital project, the engineer declares; this aspect of the project is complex and difficult an estate surveyor will say the project is neither feasible nor viable. The question is, could the students, business men surveyors, or engineers have the same thing in mind in their use of the term, project? The answer is NO.
Many attempts had been made by authors to give meaning to the concept of project. To some, project is all capital investments to develop facilities, to provide goods and services which will increase the aggregate consumption benefits of the people (Fubara 1975). Little and Mirlees (1980) defined project as “any scheme or part of a scheme for investing resources which can reasonably be analyzed and evaluated as an independent unit”. These definitions are related to investment activities to benefit (i.e.) resource flow and output, closely related to the view of this research is the definition of Desai V. (2011) which is of two dimensions to project. The tangible and the non tangible projects. This research will focus on the tangible dimension, which results to the execution of physical projects that brightens the community. Physical projects do not only provide the means of making life more meaningful for members of a community, it also results to empowerment, awakening of grass root organization and collective action toward self improvement.
In line with the above, Tamuno and Otto (2000) saw project as an instrument of change, “a coordinated series of action resulting from policy decision to change resource combination and levels, so as to contribute to the realization of a country’s development objectives”.
Amirize (2004) presented project as “any planned or deliberate programme of activities which can provide the support base, to complement efforts of individuals to enhance their well being and solve their peculiar problems”.
Physical projects in communities attract other development activities. It acts as a pointer, and a means of assessing the level of development in any given community.
2.3 CONCEPT OF PROJECT ABANDONMENT
When actions and activities on development projects are suspended without any stated time of resumption the projects are said to be abandoned. In most rural communities, this experience is not strange. There are traceable projects which were aimed at improving the lives of the members of the community in bad condition. In some cases, most of the materials used for the project are already out of use due to delay in completion. A good example is at the proposed abandoned electronic spare parts market zuba.
Furthermore, a project is confirmed abandoned when the time lag between suspension and resumption is so much to attract loss and weakening of materials used in construction.
According to Tamonu and Otto (2000), there are two time lags, the short-term and long-term. The short term lag, for short-term projects is between 1-2 years, long-term project is between 3-5 years. Where applicable, a project is termed abandoned when some of the physical features are seen wearing out and becoming out of use, such that will attract cost, for replacement.
2.4 CAUSES OF PROJECT ABANDONMENT
The list of the possible causes of project abandonment is endless. This research will examine the major and contemporary ones, they are as follows:
(1) Choice of Project site or Location:
For community development projects not to be abandoned, the choice of the site is very important. Since the host community must of necessity be the custodian of the project, consensus must be reached on where the project is to be sited before embarking on it. This situation becomes more dangerous if the project is to be handled by government agencies or external bodies. To achieve the desired result, the institutions in the community such as the chiefs, youths, women and beneficiaries need be consulted on the choice of the project site.
(2) Embarking on Projects without need analysis:
The guiding principle for the success of any project is that it is based on the felt need of the people. Any choice of project that did not represent the need of the majority of the members of the community is already heading for abandonment. The principle of need analysis stresses the identification of the needs of the community and prioritizing same in the order for which the members would expect them met, in the accomplishment of their development desires.
(3) Lack of Social analysis of a projects
Development projects which ignore the traditional values, and social organization of the intended beneficiaries, has very low success prospect and could be abandoned. No matter how important and most desired a project may be, to the members of a community, if the project go against the culture practices of the community, the project could be abandoned.
(4) Project Imposition
By contemporary standard, for a community development projects to be executed without any hitch, it must have been initiated by the community members. When community development projects are initiated by the members of the community, there is the assurance that it had past the acid test of felt need and consultation already discussed. The possibility of abandonment is no easier. But when community development projects are planned by government without any input by the community members the projects are seen as been imposed on the community and it could be abandoned at anytime. Tamonu and Otto (2000) points out that “developmental projects undertaken in the spirit of imposing our will on others and getting them see the folly of their way and the wisdom of our counsel invariably meets with resistance”. This account for the failure or abandonment of most federal and state projects in Nigeria.
(5) Improper financial analysis
Financial analysis is very important for the execution of community development projects. No matter the type of project, sufficient funds are needed for the completion of the project. Most community development projects usually require counterpart funding, when one or more parties to the funding fails the resultant effect will be insufficient funds for the project, and the project definitely will be abandoned.
(6) Under bidding of projects
In most communities, community development projects are usually contracted out to specialist, either from within the community or from outside the community. Most contractors in order to win the contract, deliberately lowers their quotation, only to apply for variation later. Some may go on in the project but will resort to the use of inferior materials or even deviate from the original project plan. Were any of these become the case; the project is at risk of abandonment.
(7) Lack of technical analysis
Most of the projects in the communities require technical inputs which must be attended to by experts. Where this aspect is not taken into consideration and the local crafts men are not able to handle it, the project would be put to a halt.
2.5 EFFECTS OF PROJECT ABANDONMENT
As earlier pointed out physical projects in communities results to changes in the face look of a community. The true objective of a community development project is to bring about a positive change in the community, empowering the individuals, economically and socially. “Any change which takes place for whatever reason, in one aspect, is likely to lead to a further change in other aspects” (Thompson 1983).
When community development projects are abandoned, the community members are automatically robed of the expected changes and consequently leave them worst than they were before the project, Desai V. (2011).
When community development projects are abandoned; the effect is felt by the individuals in the community, the community and the government.
EFFECT ON INDIVIDUALS:
Execution of projects in communities results to empowerment of members of the communities in the form of employment, contracts procurement etc. If for any reason these projects are abandoned, those working there lose their job and supplies will be stopped. This will result to loss of economic benefits of the projects. In some cases people experience social problems as they will find it difficult to readjust their lives.
EFFECT ON THE COMMUNITY:
Depending on the size and magnitude of the projects, a single project in the community is capable of transforming the face look and the socio-economic features of the community. If the project attracts large population of workers, it is possible to attract some social services which will develop the community. In addition to the above, if the project is one of the government zoned projects on record, it will reflect that the community has benefited from government, while physically the project does not exist, and the expected benefits forfeited.
EFFECT ON GOVERNMENT:
Most people see government properties as every body’s property. When government projects in communities are abandoned, the community members go as far as vandalizing the material and whatever is left in the site at that time. On return to site, after years of abandonment, the vandalized materials have to be replaced at extra cost. Sometimes the governments end up re-awarding the contract to new contractor at even a more contract value than at first.
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