The solution to delay and misappropriation of fund in projects can be eliminated in the Nigerian Construction Industry by making projects open to public scrutiny , this was stated by the Commissioner for Works Cross River State Hon, Engr Osim Asu at the Induction Ceremony into the Hall of Fame of the Nigerian Construction Industry held at Sheraton Hotel Lagos.
And in a bid to achieve this, an ideal method to adopt in the industry is the Modified Direct Labour Model, a means of carrying out projects by working directly with the projects and the communities involved. He stated that this which was better than other variations of procurement in the construction Industry. Using Cross Rivers State as a case study he explained that although the state was the 3rd least recipient of Federal Government allocation, it has been able to carry out remarkable feats by applying its intellectual resource.
Our first experimentation was with Twenty- Two (22) low hanging road projects across the state. The success of the MDLM inspired its adoption and application to bigger projects with the larger scope of work.
Some of the projects embarked upon by the state using the MDLM are dualization of 148.65 km, Mfom -Okpoma , Okuku -Ogoja – Abuochichie- Obudu -Obudu Cattle Ranch road, Rehabilitation of 12km Kakum- Bebuastsaun- Bedia- Obudu road Construction of 37 km, Yahe – Wonikade -Wanihim Benue border road and several other projects.
Although the state is one of the lowest recipients of Federal Government allocation, it has been able to manage its resource by applying its intellectual resource.
He stated that the Modified Direct Labour model after been proven as successful in smaller projects was adopted in carrying out larger projects and has been prescribed to salvage the problem of white elephant projects. The MDLM has been tested as simple, cost-effective and would be carried out on lesser estimated cost, had an improved quality of work and better design and construction outcomes.
