Ascertaining governance challenges multifarious infrastructure projects (MIPS) encounter in the course of their delivery in Nigeria

Abstract

Multifarious Infrastructure Projects (MIPs) which belong to the class of large complex projects (LCPs) encounter different types of challenges which used to impact their delivery. This study ascertained governance challenges MIPs encounter in the course of their delivery in Nigeria through semi-structured interviews with key role players in the governance of the projects. It has been established by the study that MIPs do encounter many daunting governance challenges which included improper initiation; ineffective stakeholder engagement/management; lack of continuous funding and inadequate financing plan; complex governance structures; lack of clear and strong leadership; cumbersome governance policies; ineffective contractor selection processes; procuring authorities’ (PAs’) disregard for consultants’ advice, due process and established procedures; ineffective communication systems; lack of authority to take decisions by many role players; change of government; mandatory requirements for PAs to comply with the provisions of Public Procurement Act (PPA), 2007 and Financial Regulations in the award of contracts for MIPs; and untimely honouring of contractual obligations. These challenges were found to have resulted in failure to achieve the projects’ objectives; cost and time overrun; poor quality works; suspension of works and outright abandonment of the projects in some instances. There is therefore an urgent need for appropriate stakeholders to find ways of addressing the challenges in view of the importance of the projects to socio economic development of the country.