EFFECT OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) ON SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Sustainability in construction development can be perceived in the areas of ICT barriers and benefits
management. Management of sustainable building materials and waste management in the
implementation of construction projects affects the overall success of construction projects as the
global ICT Development Index ranking by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) shows
that Nigeria moved up two places from 135 spots in 2012 to 133 in 2013. The objective of this study
was to assess the effect of Information and Communication Technology on Sustainable Construction
Development in Nigeria; determine the effects with respect to need, barriers, and benefits of ICT
implementation on sustainable construction development; and make recommendations on possible
improvement. A total of 240 questionnaires were administered to respondents in construction
companies to provide empirical data for the analysis. Findings indicated that Nigerian Construction
Industry needs ICT throughout the construction stages right from pre-design, through and up to
operation and maintenance. For sustainable construction development to be achieved, the cost of
installation of ICT infrastructure, lack of regulations by the government in the adoption of ICT, lack
of knowledge about ICT and other software in the construction industry, unwillingness to change by
senior construction professionals, and poor management of the supply chain are the major barriers
that are to be addressed in Nigerian construction industries. The study recommended that
Government should come up with a policy regulating the adoption of ICT for construction
works and proper ICT training

Keywords: : Sustainable construction developmentz Information and Communication Technology (ICT); Barrier and benefit management.