Empirical Analysis of Construction Labour Productivity Determinants in Building Projects in Abuja

Construction labour productivity in building projects in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, is significantly below benchmark values reported in comparable international contexts, yet the specific determinants of productivity variation in the Abuja construction market have not been empirically established. This study empirically analyses labour productivity determinants for concrete and masonry trades in building projects in Abuja. Productivity data were collected through work sampling observations over four-week periods on 15 active building projects in Abuja Municipal Area Council. Labour productivity was expressed as output units per man-hour for concrete work, blockwork, and plastering trades. Thirty potential productivity determinants were assessed through structured site supervisor questionnaires and factored into regression models. Results indicate mean productivity rates of 0.42 m2/man-hour for blockwork, 0.21 m3/man-hour for concrete placement, and 0.58 m2/man-hour for plastering, all below international standard output values by 22 to 38 percent. Task-level analysis shows that 43 percent of working time is classified as non-productive (waiting, travelling, and rework). The five strongest productivity predictors are: material availability (beta = 0.48), gang composition and skill mix (beta = 0.42), supervision intensity (beta = 0.38), site layout effectiveness (beta = 0.31), and sequencing coordination (beta = 0.28). The study contributes original Nigerian construction productivity benchmark data and recommends targeted lean construction interventions to address the most impactful productivity loss factors.

Keywords: labour productivity, construction work sampling, building projects, Abuja, productivity determinants