Assessment of Abandoned Public Sector Physical Projects in Abeokuta Metropolis

The growing prevalence of abandoned public-sector physical projects in Nigeria, estimated at around 4,000 projects with a combined value of approximately 300 billion naira, has spurred the need for an in-depth inquiry. This study is centered within the Abeokuta Metropolis, with a focus on identifying, analyzing, and understanding the underlying causes of these abandoned projects. Specifically, 196 questionnaires, representing 7% of the sampling frame, were administered to residents residing in five neighborhoods situated within a 500-meter radius of each abandoned project. Furthermore, an additional 15 questionnaires were distributed to relevant ministries to gather insights into project timelines and ongoing rehabilitation efforts. The investigation into the causative factors behind abandoned public-sector physical projects utilized a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire. The survey revealed an array of contributing factors, including inadequate monitoring, deficient planning, insufficient funding, shifts in governance, political interference, labor disputes, price volatility of construction materials, cultural influences, lack of user engagement, corruption, management inefficiencies, partial commitment from project proponents, natural disasters, and underutilization of town planners. The socio-economic implications stemming from abandoned projects, as reported by respondents, encompass misuse for criminal activities, temporary storage of stolen goods, environmental degradation, property devaluation, and increased costs for accessing essential public amenities. The study proposes a series of recommendations which include enhancing monitoring mechanisms, improving financial support and conducting rigorous feasibility studies, among others. By implementing these measures, a positive shift towards mitigating the incidence of abandoned public-sector physical projects can be achieved. Keywords: abandoned physical projects; public sector; residents; causes; Abeokuta