EFFECTS OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC REGULATIONS ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECT QUALITY PERFORMANCE IN ADAMAWA STATE

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TOPIC: THE EFFECTS OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC REGULATIONS ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECT QUALITY PERFORMANCE IN ADAMAWA STATE

TABLE OF CONTENT
Cover page

Fly Page (Blank)

i. Title Page

ii. Declaration

iii. Certification

iv. Dedication

v. Acknowledgement

vi. Abstract

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 

1.1 Background of the Study 

1.2 Statement of the Problem

1.3 Objectives of the Study  

1.4 Research Questions

1.5 Research Hypotheses

1.6 Significance of the Study

1.7 Scope of the Study

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Conceptual Review

2.2 Theoretical Framework

2.3 Empirical Review

2.4 Summary of Literature Review

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Research Design

3.3 Population of the Study

3.3 Sample Size and Sampling Technique

3.4 Research Instrument

3.5 Validity of the Instrument

3.6 Reliability of the Instrument

3.7  Method of Data Collection

3.8  Method of Data Analysis

3.9 Ethnical Consideration

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS  

 4.1. Demographic characteristics of respondents

 4.2 Data Presentation and Analysis 

 4.3 Discussion of Findings

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Summary of findings

5.2   Contribution to Knowledge

5.3 Conclusion
5.4 Limitation of the Study

5.5 Recommendations
5.6 Suggestions for Further Studies

REFERENCES

Appendixes

ABSTRACT

The study  examined “Effects of COVID-19 Regulations on Construction Project Performance in Yola, Adamawa State”. The specific objectives were to investigate the extent of disruption to construction project quality performance, identify challenges posed by COVID-19 regulations, determine the effects of these measures on the construction industry, and assess the relationship between COVID-19 regulations and project performance in Yola. The research design used was descriptive, since the study aimed at giving in-depth information about the phenomena to be studied. A population of 260 experienced construction professionals who participated in the management of a publicly funded project during the COVID-19 period was used as the study population. Based on the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) table, a sample size of 147 respondents was identified and a subset of them was chosen based on convenience sampling because it was easily accessible. Structured questionnaires were used to gather data based on Likert-scale items that were created to address the research questions. Means and standard deviations were used to determine the scope, difficulty, impact, and correlation of COVID-19 regulations on the performance of projects. Results had revealed that the quality of the project had been interfered seriously due to project delays (X = 3.71), high construction cost (X = 3.65) and problems in accessing materials (X = 3.72). The identified difficulties included: interference of activities (X = 3.76), low productivity (X = 3.70) and lack of coordination between teams working remotely (X = 3.58). Regulations positively impacted the aspects of higher operation cost (X = 3.68), longer procurement time (X = 3.62), and a change in approaches of executing a project (X = 3.50). A good correlation was noted between COVID-19 regulations and project performance, and effects on timelines (X = 3.74), costs (X = 3.63), and workforce efficiency (X = 3.58). The analysis suggested the use of digital project management software, flexible schedules, efficient allocation, and training of the staff in adaptive management skills to overcome the disruption, and the results reflect the same.

Keywords: Covid-19, Pandemic, Regulations, Construction, Project, Performance, Construction Quality.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION (Preview)

1.1 Background of the Study

Construction industry is a sensitive industry, which helps in developing infrastructure and creating job opportunities, just to mention but a few, and benefiting the society. The factors globally that feed the construction works and determine the performance of the project and industry are technological development and transformation of the capital markets and standard of regulations (Pamidimukkala and Kermanshachi, 2021). The last several years were showing the world things that we have never heard of as far as the health situation is concerned where the COVID -19 pandemic is one of the most challenging problems to adjust to the modifications in the industrial activity with the necessity to take adaptive measures to guarantee productivity. The pandemic caused by SARS CoV 2 caused governments to adopt stringent measures to reduce its spread in all regions of the world and this indirectly affected the schedule of the projects, allocation of resources and operations (Mogaji, 2020). These international disequilibriumes are used to explain the presence of interdependences between the interventions in the sphere of the state of health of the population and the output performance of the sector, which depends on the necessity to consider the contextual impacts on the critical industries.

COVID 19 regulations refer to the measures that governments and organisations have put in place to prevent the spread of viruses and the protection of the workforce. These included PPE, social distancing, sanitation and number of people on the site (Bukhari et al., 2024). Though the primary goal of these regulations was to ensure health, they inevitably affected the construction process, especially labour force, supply of materials, and control of the site. The construction companies had to weigh what must be in situ to keep the activity running and often needed to re-plan the project and re-estimate the cost management process (Ogunnusi et al., 2021). The response to these regulations proves the dynamic nature of the compliance regulating and project practice behavior, i.e. the problems in ensuring the continuation of the functioning of the operation within the new externally determined conditions.

Setting the realised project outcomes in contrast to the projected project purposes is part of the construction project performance and involves components of costs, time, scope and quality (Obayelu et al., 2021). We can say that the pandemic was reflected in the delays, lack of employees, and materials that led to the inability to meet the deadlines on projects (Ikechukwu and Odimegwu, 2021). Moreover, to overcome the upheavals, organisations had to adopt remote coordination strategies like digital project management solutions and virtual supervision. Those adjustments all imply that the performance test was adjusted when you added flexibility, endurance, and sensibility to the traditional characteristics to the external shocks (Pamidimukkala and Kermanshachi, 2021). This extended definition is prominent in defining the consequences of constructing at a period of calamity on the planet.

The quality performance in construction projects is merely a term to fulfill some level of purpose to demonstrate how far a construction project that has been completed is capable of addressing the needs and regulatory specifications and standards that are developed (Ejekozien and Aigbavboa, 2021). Under the pandemic conditions, it was impossible to guarantee the quality because of a lack of working force, insufficient availability of supplies, and changes in the working process (Zaccheus et al., 2022). Regardless of these challenges, the corporations that implemented new monitoring and digital inspections and improved communication systems in their internal processes were able to achieve the required quality. The transformation of the work caused by the pandemic, the quality assurance, shows that the sector is quite vulnerable to external shocks and that the flexibility of the quality assurance of the projects is relevant.

The dependency between the quality performance of the construction project and the policy of COVID 19 is a trade off. The standard quality management method i.e. a physical visit to a location and corresponding communication with the stakeholders is limited by the legislation that is so significant to well-being of the staff and sustainability of the project (Ogunnusi et al., 2021). The consequence of reduced direct work on the ground and reduced number of workers on site can have an inadvertent impact on quality compliance and new methods to check and test have to be established. Based on this, there is no need to exclude the fact that the inclusion of health standards and quality assurance models will help to increase the project delivery resilience and compliance with performance and safety standards (Bukhari et al., 2024).

Lack of technological infrastructure and scarcity of resources, as well as, scarcity of skilled labour is a contextual challenge to the construction industry in Adamawa State, Nigeria. The other issue that made the project management complex, and had to change to protect the quality of the performance, was the effect of the COVID-19 guidelines on the projects under development and implementation (Ikechukwu and Odimegwu, 2021). It is only the relations between these regulations and quality of projects used in this regional context that allows knowing about the localised effects, that is why the possibility of flexibility of strategies and creative solutions is so much needed. The situation with Adamawa State may be seen as an indication of the need to balance construction quality with health compliance in the new economies.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The COVID 19 pandemic has posed a greater than ever before, challenge in many sectors that have compelled governments in different parts of the world to put stringent regulatory measures in place to curb the spread of the virus. This has brought dire effects to the economic sector like the construction sector, but is needed in the interest of the people (Pamidimukkala and Kermanshachi, 2021). Cost of the project, time of the project and performance of the project are the major factors that determine the construction projects reviewed on international basis, as far as best quality of the project is considered which plays the most important role in fulfilling the customer and the infrastructural demands (Obayelu et al., 2021). In the absence of an emergency, construction projects must be undertaken in an efficient way that will not result in setbacks of schedules and budgets (Ikechukwu and Odimegwu, 2021). However, the immediate appearance of COVID-19 regulations impacted the usual operating activities of the construction sector and created a sense of uncertainty regarding whether the industry could achieve quality performance under circumstances of limited conditions.

The adoption of the COVID 19 protocol, social distancing, limited access and use of personal protection equipment and equipment have transformed the normal conduct of construction (Bukhari et al., 2024). The quality control measures are related to the newness of the work, the poor performance of the workers, and the slippage of the schedule (Ogunnusi et al., 2021). Although several studies are already carried out within the context of the effects of pandemic on the schedule and budget of a project, little empirical data is provided on the specific influence of these types of regulations on the quality performance of a construction project, including in the context of Adamawa State (Zaccheus et al., 2022). This evidence gap deprives practitioners of the chance to provide evidence-based strategies to be integrated with regulations and project quality compliance standards.

It is even more evident in Adamawa State where infrastructure development is the foundation of economic development and implementation of projects is often affected by infrastructure and technical constraints (Mogaji, 2020). In the absence of appropriate means to integrate COVID-19 as a control and quality assuring factor, projects are prone to fail to perform up to performance standards (Ebekozien and Aigbavboa, 2021). To a great degree, the literature review is associated with the turmoil of the entire industry or country-centred research, once again, there is a tremendous gap in the knowledge of how locally introduced rules would affect the state of the construction quality in the state of the Nigerian states.

It implies that project managers lack situation-specific guidance on how they can mitigate the quality risks of a pandemic or any other crisis situation, and they will struggle to maintain the project standards at an inter-regulatory level at a time when regulatory pressure is as high as it has never been. Thus the proposed study is will  address the gap by analysing the effects of covid-19 pandemic regulations on construction project quality performance in Adamawa State.

1.3 Aim and Objectives

The aim of the research is to examine the effects of the covid-19 regulations on construction projects performance in Yola, Adamawa State-Nigeria; therefore the  research will include with the view to improve the following research objectives

i.To investigate on the extent of disruption of construction project quality performance caused  by Covid-19 pandemic in Yola.

ii.To identify the challenges caused by Covid-19 pandemic regulations on  construction industry in Yola.

iii.To determined the effect of Covid-19 regulations on construction industry in the study area

iv.To determine the relationship between Covid-19 regulations and construction  Projects performance in Yola.

OTHER PARTS OF CHAPTER ONE INCLUDE:

1.4  Research Questions

1.5  Significance of the Study

1.6  Scope of the study

1.7 Concept areas

CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE (Preview)

This chapter critically examines relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and, furthermore, recognizes the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps. This chapter, therefore, focuses on the concept of COVID-19 pandemic regulations, the concept of construction project quality performance, the types and implementation of COVID-19 pandemic regulations, the effects of COVID-19 pandemic regulations on construction project quality performance, and the challenges associated with maintaining construction quality during the COVID-19 pandemic. The chapter covers the following subheadings:

2.1 Conceptual Framework

2.2 Theoretical Framework

2.3 Empirical Review

2.4 Summary of Literature Review

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (Preview)

Research Design: The study adopted a descriptive research design to investigate the effects of COVID-19 pandemic regulations on construction project quality performance in Yola metropolis, Adamawa State.

Population of the Study: The population of the study comprises 260 construction professionals in Yola metropolis, Adamawa State, consisting of 23 architects, 152 engineers, 32 builders, and 53 quantity surveyors.

Sample Size Determination: The study adopted Krejcie and Morgan’s (1970) sample size determination table to determine a sample size of 155 construction professionals.

Sampling Technique: The study employed a convenience sampling technique to select construction professionals who were available and accessible at the time of the study.

Research Instrument: The study utilized a structured questionnaire as the instrument for data collection to obtain the opinions of construction professionals on COVID-19 pandemic regulations and construction project performance.

Methods of Data Analysis: The collected data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Version 21.0, with descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, arithmetic means, medians, modes, and standard deviations, to summarize and present the respondents’ opinions.

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

MAJOR FINDINGS (Preview)

The analysis results were presented in tables. Based on the results obtained from the analysis, the following findings are made:

i. The study found that COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted construction project quality performance in Yola, Adamawa State, as evidenced by mean scores ranging from 3.52 to 3.72, which are above the acceptance benchmark of 2.50. Difficulty in obtaining construction materials recorded the highest mean of 3.72, followed by delays in project completion with a mean of 3.71, while inadequate adherence to project specifications recorded the lowest mean of 3.52. These findings indicate that the pandemic disrupted project completion, increased construction costs, reduced workforce availability, and affected supervision and quality control.

ii. The study found that COVID-19 pandemic regulations created significant challenges for the construction industry in Yola, Adamawa State, as evidenced by mean scores ranging from 3.50 to 3.76, all above the acceptance benchmark of 2.50. Interruption of ongoing construction activities recorded the highest mean of 3.76, followed by reduced productivity due to social distancing rules with a mean of 3.70 and difficulties in maintaining project timelines due to lockdowns with a mean of 3.69. These findings indicate that the regulations created operational, financial, and administrative challenges for construction activities.

iii. The study found that COVID-19 regulations announced by relevant authorities had considerable effects on the construction industry in Yola, Adamawa State, as evidenced by mean scores ranging from 3.48 to 3.68, which are above the acceptance benchmark of 2.50. Increased project costs due to compliance with COVID-19 protocols recorded the highest mean of 3.68, followed by delays in procurement of construction materials with a mean of 3.62, while the need to adopt alternative construction methods recorded the lowest mean of 3.48. These findings indicate that the regulations increased project costs, delayed procurement and schedules, reduced workforce efficiency, and necessitated changes in project execution strategies.

iv. The study found that COVID-19 regulations had a negative relationship with construction project performance in Yola, Adamawa State, as evidenced by mean scores ranging from 3.49 to 3.74, all above the acceptance benchmark of 2.50. The negative impact on project timelines recorded the highest mean of 3.74, followed by increased project costs due to compliance with regulations with a mean of 3.63 and delays in construction output due to government restrictions with a mean of 3.62. These findings indicate that COVID-19 regulations adversely affected project timelines, costs, quality performance, stakeholder communication, and project planning.

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

This chapter covers the following outline:

5.1 Summary of the Study

5.2 Contribution to Knowledge

5.3 Conclusion

5.4 Limitations of the Study

5.5 Recommendations

5.6 Suggestion for Further Studies

REFERENCES

APPENDIX

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