SUSTAINABILITY OF RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS IN NIGERIA: A PROJECT MANAGER’S PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Sustainability of residential estate projects is a major concern of construction stakeholders which should be a continuous process by successive administration in Nigeria irrespective of the party affiliation. The study explores the Project Manager‘s perspective in the delivery of the residential development in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Three objectives were examined which include (i) the Project Managers‘ perception on their own performance on the residential estate development (ii) the factors driving project managers‘ performance and (iii) strategies on enhancing the performance of Project Managers. Data were collected from 26 project managers on residential estates projects using close – ended - designed questionnairesand were analysed through descriptive statistical methods (Mean Score and Relative Importance Index). Historical project data was also obtained on 22 residential estate projects, and was analysed using Percentage analysis. The results of the data analysis were presented using tables and charts. Findings from data analysis revealed that Project Managers rated themselves high in ten competencies and moderate in six competencies that include Budgeting, Risk management, and Emotional intelligence. The competencies of PMsthat had the strongest influence on project quality performance,the‗commitment of project stakeholders to sustainable construction‘ and ‗Lack of teamwork‘ were identified as the key driver and barrier respectively of project managers‘ performance. As a strategy to enhance performance, the study recommended that real estate development firms should identify how they can leverage the Attitude, Finance, Government Policy, Knowledge, Management, Stakeholder and Technology factors to improve project performance in the short, medium and long term.