APPRAISAL OF DIRECT LABOUR METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION FOR QUALITY PRODUCTION IN BUILDING

APPRAISAL OF DIRECT LABOUR METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION FOR QUALITY PRODUCTION IN BUILDING

ABSTRACT

This research work investigate the assessment of direct labour method of construction for quality production in building situated at Okene Local Government Area Council, Kogi  State Nigeria. Quantitative data was obtained from the key management staff of the department of works that are responsible for decisions making via in depth interview, verbal discussion on benefit and factors influencing the choice of direct labour in the organisation. Through the administration the benefits and factors influencing direct labour system was used to design questionnaires which form the basic primary data. Descriptive and inferential satisfied Techniques were used for the analysis where forty questionnaires were distributed and thirty two were received for the analysis. The study revealed that appraisal of direct labour method of construction for quality production in building is the fastest or quick performance for execution of project work. It was finally concluded that the quality production in a building construction on direct labour should be our focus to ensure successful project work in any sector. 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Direct Labour System is one of the several options of procurement used for project delivery process and records shows that it is the oldest procurement system and has been in used in Nigerian for back as the colonial era. It is the procurement in most countries and researchers described it as a system where by a developer plans and organised the project delivery process, carries out the design, the planning and procurement of resources and the construction of a project using client employed supervisory staff and labour. These types of system is regards as in house because clients staffs as different from contractors staff carry out the project delivery process and activities. (Idoro, Iyagba and Odusami 2007) asserted that direct labour is mainly used for government project. The use of the system is a good development in construction because it does not result in high staff strength and over load costs in the Nigerian construction industry.

Direct Labour is system where by a developer plans and organized the project delivery process, carries out the design, the planning and procurement of resources and the construction of a project using client employed, supervisory staff and labour. (Idoro, Iyagba and Odusami 2007).

There is a growing interest in the use of direct labour system in Nigeria Construction projects especially in the private sector. It is a system that entails the clients usage of own resources to realize his project. Direct labour system is a method whereby the client design and produces his project by himself with the aid of his in house professional void of the usage of contractors (Ogunsami et. al, 2003; kadiri and Odusami, 2003). This is different from the traditional procurement system in that it does not involve the usage of contractors. This method has been in use in Nigeria before the colonial and during the colonial period to execute non-complex project. Ghana, Kenya and so on are some of African countries where it is been used extensively. Previous works have shown some level of success of this method especially in the area of cost reduction omoighe and Ibekwe, 1990. The technique and industry involved in the assembly and erection of structures, primarily those used to provide shelter. Building constructor is an ancient human activities, it began with the purely functional need for a controlled environment to moderate the effect of climate. (Alfred, 2015) constructed shelter were one means by which human beings were able to adapt themselves to a wide variety of climates and become a global species. Human shelters were at first very simple and perhaps lasted only a few days or months. Over time, however, even temporary winter home evolved into such highly refined forms as structures (Britannica, 2014).

Direct Labour is defined as a process by which a project is executed by the workers of an organization instead of project being contracted out. It can simply be described as a “do it yourself” approach to project procurement (Opadiran, 2010). According, to( Iyagba and Odoro, 2011). They also direct labour defined as a method where by a client otherwise known as the owner uses his or her own in house resources for design and execution of a project. The in house resources here will include both supervisory staff, skilled and unskilled labour forces beside equipment. Worthy of note in this system is the elimination of the contractor which makes the direct labour method distinct from other procurement method.

1.2     NEED FOR THE STUDY

The need for quality production in building construction of residential houses cannot be ignored, despite numerous benefits, several problems have been observed on the use of external contractor or consultants. In a project that involved contractor or a change of client, (Michell et. al., 2007) discovered problems concerning cooperation between supervisors from the organization contractors. As a solution to the problem of inaccurate proposal submitted by consultants or contractor (Tembo, and Rwelamila 2007) suggested that organisation, should formulate an evaluation process for the assessment and execution of project proposals from their organisation in a manner that will reflect true cost and schedules. These problems show that the practice of using direct labour product or services by an organisation to ensure quality production of building project is not compromised.

1.3     STATEMENT OF THE RESEACH PROBLEM

Many construction projects that were contracted out in an organisation were not successfully completed at the stipulated time or at the estimated budget of that organisation. Contracts were awarded with the exaggerated contract sums or the contractor might request for additional sum, due to variation or market situation that arises. The organisation as a whole might losses a lot of money when the project is not done within time, cost of project budget will go high now is necessary for any organisation to adopt the uses of direct labour to ensure quality of production of the building.

1.4     AIM

This research project was aimed at appraising the quality of building production, using method of direct labour for construction.

1.5     OBJECTIVES

The specific objectives of the research project work are:

1.     To examine the benefit derived when using direct labour in executing a construction project in an organisation.

2.     To investigate the factors influencing the choice of direct labour and contract in construction project executed in an organisation.

3.     To determine the best perceptions of the stakeholders in the organisation.

1.6     METHODOLOGY

To achieve the desired objectives, the questionnaire method is to be use in carrying out this research work, reviewing of past similar works, journals, conference / seminar papers online materials. The purpose was to articulate existing knowledge of the subject area.

1.6.1 DATA COLLECTION

The data shall be collected after the distribution and administering questionnaires to some selected staff and management of the case study area. The questionnaires will contain various statements for response on the appraisal of direct labour in quality production in building

1.6.2 DATA ANALYSIS

During data analysis tables, simple percentage technique shall be use to analyze the data collected using questionnaires and the response will be expressed in percentages. The percentage techniques will be use for it simplicity and this will enable the researcher to comprehend the content of the research work easily.

1.7     SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The research work will covers the use of direct labour in quality production in building. Department of works in Okene Local Government Area Council of Kogi State was selected as a case study area for this research work. The research work concentrated on collecting, analysing and interpreting quantitative data within the selected area of interest.