Addressing Abandoned Public Building Projects in North-Central Nigeria: The Role of Quantity Surveyors in Project Cost Planning and Delivery Enhancing Transparency and Accountability

Abstract

The abandonment of public building projects remains a major challenge to infrastructure development and effective utilisation of public resources in Nigeria. Abandoned projects represent wasted financial commitments, delay the provision of essential public facilities and can generate additional costs when projects are eventually revived. Evidence from Nigeria indicates that inadequate funding, poor planning, cost escalation, delayed payments, contractor-related problems and weak project monitoring are among factors associated with project abandonment. Research on public projects in Nigeria has particularly highlighted the importance of adequate planning, costing, funding and monitoring at project inception. This paper examines the role of Quantity Surveyors in addressing abandoned public building projects in North-Central Nigeria, with particular emphasis on project cost planning, financial monitoring, procurement transparency and accountability. It argues that Quantity Surveyors can contribute significantly through realistic pre-contract estimates, detailed bills of quantities, cash-flow forecasting, cost control, variation management, contractor financial assessment and transparent financial reporting. The paper recommends stronger professional involvement of Quantity Surveyors from project inception, independent cost auditing, improved procurement compliance, timely release of project funds and effective early-warning mechanisms. These measures can improve project cost certainty, transparency, accountability and ultimately reduce the incidence of abandoned public building projects in North-Central Nigeria.