Evaluating the contribution of project team members to time-overrun in Nigerian federal government projects

The long delay experienced in projects executed by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) calls for concern that prompts an investigation into the contribution of members of the project team. The objectives of the study are to evaluate and compare the contribution to time-overrun by the different members of project team involved in FGN projects. The aim is to guide the government on how to source for project team members and reduce long delay experienced in its projects. To achieve this aim, a field survey involving a sample of 78 project leaders in charge of FGN projects that were executed in 2008 was conducted. The projects were executed by the ministry in charge of projects (Federal Ministry of Works, Housing and Environment) for the three arms of government namely: Executive, Legislative and Judiciary. For the study, 6 key project team members were selected. Data collected were project types, team members type and project leaders assessment of their contribution to time-overrun in FGN projects. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using mean item score, percentage and ranking. The results reveal that project leaders perceive government as the highest contributor to time-overrun in its projects. Main contractors are perceived as the next highest contributor, followed by government officials. The study sees the urgent need for a change in FGN approach to how it discharges its duties in the delivery of its projects, improved service performance on the part of contractors, consultants and suppliers used and adequate involvement of state government officials in the delivery of FGN projects in its results and advocate that stakeholders should embark on measures for achieving them.