Problem Caused by COVID-19 Pandemic on the Construction Industry of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

The chances to remedy the construction industry from its diverse problems have weakened due to the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Although the pandemic is almost reduced to history, its impacts linger with acute effects on the industry’s performance. This study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the construction sector of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria with a specific focus on problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Using survey research design, structured questionnaires were administered to 213 respondents (61 Architects, 32 builders, 46 quantity surveyors, and 74 Civil Engineers). Data analysis involved mean item scores, Chi-Square and Kruskal Wallis tests. The findings revealed that COVID-19 has severed the movement of people and interpersonal relationships, delayed project timelines, escalated transportation problems, and induced high costs of construction resources and project costs. The implication shows that stakeholders in the construction industry are still glued to work ethics during the COVID-19 period or are yet to modify behaviours into the industry norms in terms of human relations and movement. A change in perception is needed to restore the stakeholders to the traditional way of life through an awareness campaign, while the government needs to strengthen economic recovery policies and institute pro-construction industry parameters to reduce the cost of construction resources and overall project costs to accelerate the recovery path of the sector.