Abstract: This study investigated the impact of project abandonment on Nigerian Economy with a study of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Enugu. Nigeria has in recent times witnessed an unprecedented level of project abandonment which has negatively affected its economic growth and development. Gigantic projects are abandoned at both the federal and state levels due to inability of regulatory authorities to monitor and evaluate the progression of awarded project contracts. Corruption, financial irregularities, political considerations etc. were adjudged to be the main reasons why laudable projects were abandoned. The Railway transport in Nigeria, just like the Ajaokuta Steel Industry and many other government projects has been in comatose, neglected and more glaringly abandoned in spite of its potentials to contribute to the nation’s economic growth and development. The specific objectives of the study were to assess the causes of project abandonment in Nigeria, evaluate the extent to which project abandonment affects Nigerian economy and to identify ways of controlling incessant cases of project abandonment in Nigeria. The study employed the survey research design. Both primary and secondary sources of data were applied. The population comprises of staffs selected from the NRC and Ministry of Works and Transport in Enugu all totaling 160. Due to the small nature of the population, the total population of the 160 was used as sample size of the study. Data were presented in tables and since the study seeks to evaluate the cause and effect relationship between the predicator variables and the criterion variables, the researcher used Friedman’s Chi-square statistical tool (X2) in analyzing the data at 5% significant level with the aid of SPSS. Findings from the study revealed that projects are abandoned as a result of government’s non-challant attitude to projects, corruption and financial misappropriation X2c (42.105) > X2t (9.488); Abandonment of projects hinders economic growth and development of Nigeria through waste of scarce resources, technological backwardness, and low per capita income X2c (50.435) > X2t (9.488); and the best way to control incessant project abandonment is by project monitoring, evaluation and ensuring completion of old projects before awarding new ones since X2c (76.571) > X2t (9.488). Based on these findings, it is recommended that efforts should be made to reduce corruption, tribal political patronage and use of mediocre contractors in the railways business. Again, the colossal waste of resources is detrimental to the economic growth and development of the country, government should ensure the acceleration and completion of all ongoing projects, or at least focus on high priority ones. Finally, that the National Assembly should come up with a legislation to compel successive government to continue with programmers’ and projects initiated by their predecessors.
Keywords: Project Management, Project Abandonment, Economic Growth and Development.
Title: APPRAISAL OF THE IMPACT OF PROJECT ABANDONMENT ON NIGERIAN ECONOMY: WITH ILLUSTRATIONS FROM THE NIGERIAN RAILWAY CORPORATION ENUGU
Author: Igwesi, Chika.G., Kalu, Agwu. U, Onyejiaku, Chinyere C., Ghasi, Nwanneka.C.
International Journal of Management and Commerce Innovations
ISSN 2348-7585 (Online)
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