The construction industry provides appreciable employment for the unskilled and semi-skilled labour considering the nature of most activities carried out on construction sites. However, the productivity of this categories of labour have trended poor overtime. This study therefore assessed the financial and non financial motivational schemes; in light of their preference to construction site workers so as to assure on their vulnerability in enhancing productivity. The data collected through the administration of questionnaires to construction site operatives were analysed using the relative importance index (RII). The research instrument was also legitimized with content validity index (CVI) for items ≥ 0.80 and cronbach alpha value, as a measure of internal consistency, ≥ 0.70. Allowances, wages stock option and bonuses are the financial motivators while delegation, independence and autonomy, facilities for transportation are the non financial motivations that are important to site workers on construction sites. Giving praises, encouragement to make contributions, free medical care, availability of relaxation centres and first aid provision are the motivation schemes that site operatives believed to enhance their productivity. This paper concludes that both financial and non financial motivational schemes are important to enhancing the productivity of operatives on construction sites. The vulnerable motivational schemes to the enhancement of productivity, as revealed in this study is recommended to the construction and subcontracting firms, foremen, clerk of works, site supervisors, site engineers and all other stakeholders in ensuring a maximum output for a unit input from site operatives.

Purpose– This paper evaluated the adoption of qualitative risk analysis techniques (QRAT) on construction projects in Nigeria with the aim of providing better understanding on the state of these techniques.

Design/ methodology/approach – Questionnaire survey and in-depth interview were employed in gathering data for the study. The paper assessed the level of knowledge, awareness, utilization success and the factors affecting the utilization of qualitative risk analysis techniques. The primary data employed were obtained by using multiple-choice questionnaire administered to the selected large construction firms in Nigeria.

Findings– The result of the study revealed a low level adoption of QRAT, thus preventing Nigerian construction industry from taking full advantage of QRAT in the analysis of risks inherent in construction projects. Also checklists, flowchart and assumption analysis were the commonly used QRAT in the study area. Furthermore, inadequate training and record keeping on risk management contributed largely to the factors affecting the utilization of QRAT on projects.

Research limitations/implications – Multiple-choice questionnaires administered to the respondents (Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Builders, Structural Engineers, Civil Engineers, Mechanical & Electrical Engineers) were limited to the selected large construction firms in the category D of the Nigerian Federal Tender Board.

Practical implications – The construction sector has not taken full advantage of QRAT in the analysis of risks inherent in construction projects. This has been responsible for cost and time overruns usually recorded. Analysing risks will help the stakeholders in assessing degrees of project complexity and better manage the potential risks that might be induced to different levels of construction projects in Nigeria in order to achievehitch free construction project delivery.

Originality/value – This empirical inquiry provides strong evidence on the state of qualitative risk analysis techniques of construction projects in Nigeria. The findings provide insightful perspectives to understand construction project QRAT in its entirety. For stakeholders, understanding and addressing the complexity help to improve project planning and implementation.

One of the three most important basic needs of mankind which has not been adequate for the citizenryright from the independence in 1960 till date is Housing. Finance has been fingered as one of the predicaments towards its actualization because housing provision requires huge capital outlay. The National Housing Fund (NHF) scheme was considered relative to the number of contributors, accessibility of the fund when required and how it has affected the provision of housing in Nigeria. Data for this work were obtained from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) which is the apex bank for mortgage institutions. The study revealedthat few mortgagors have benefitted from the scheme, funds are locked up without disbursing adequate amount to the contributors as there is wide gap between the amount that mortgagors actually applied for and the amount so approved for the provision of housing in Nigeria. The paper recommended that contributors should be allowed to benefit from NHF scheme, while funds locked up should be adequately disbursed to the loan applicants by ensuring that there is reduction in the wide margin between amount applied for and the amount soapproved to allow for effective utilization of the fund.

Motivation is the set of processes that determine the choices people make about their behaviours. Implementing a well formulated motivation policy triggers the innate qualities of labourers (employees) by enhancing their productivity. This study investigates the drivers of motivation for casual workers on the construction sites byidentifying the factors responsible for motivation and challenges to the motivation of casual workers in Nigerian construction industry. Relevant literature were reviewed and 18-point evaluation questionnaire was developed on the drivers of motivation while 11 were collated for the challenges of motivation for casual workers on construction site. The questionnaires were then distributed to the professionals and labourers within construction sites in Lagos state, Nigeria. The data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study indicates that casual workers give in their best when there are provisions of reward for the good work and excellence, also when they are adequately provided with working equipmentsand facilities and that there is no significant difference in the perception of labourers and professionals on the drivers and challenges of motivation for casual workers on construction sites.