Indigenous contractorsʹ perceptions of the constraints on contractorsʹ performance and development programmes required in Nigeria

Some measures have been formulated and implemented for contractor development in Nigeria, but these efforts have achieved little success. Whereas the literature is replete with details of constraints within the Nigerian construction industry and their impact on indigenous contractorsʹ performance, little or no information is available on contractorsʹ perceptions of the supports prescribed and implemented for their development. It is premised that the uptake and success of any contractor development initiative depend on whether contractors, the intended beneficiaries, perceive proposed programmes as relevant and appropriate to their needs. This paper reports findings on the perceptions of indigenous contractors on the constraints on their performance in the Nigerian industry and the measures they perceive as most appropriate to support their development. The major constraints perceived are uncertainties in supplies and prices of materials, delayed interim payments, fluctuations in work load and lack of capital. Contractor development programmes most preferred are those primarily required to ameliorate the major constraints identified as well as provision of training to facilitate organisational and management development. The findings indicate the need for more comprehensive programmes to develop the local industry. Contractors should also be more involved in the formulation and implementation of contractor development programmes.