Effects of Abandoned Highway Construction Project in the Nigerian Economy: A Case Study of Enugu - Onitsha Highway Road

Abstract

Despite the fact that Nigeria is the giant of Africa and has a lot of rich human and natural resources, many of its roads or highways are in terrible conditions, and they have become death traps and nightmares for the citizens.  Hence, the main objective of this study is to assess or determine the effects of abandoned road construction projects in Nigeria using Enugu-Onitsha highway road as a case study. Structured questionnaires were distributed to the regular road users (drivers) such as Peace Mass Transport, God Is Good, Onitsha South Transport, GUO Transport drivers who use the road daily for the past five years.  Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data. The study also used Cost Benefit Analysis theory (CBA) to drive home its message. The study found out that the abandoned Onitsha-Enugu highway road has economically affected many Nigerians, more especially the daily users. It has disrupted a lot of economic activities and has also resulted to lots of mishaps such as constant accidents, arm robberies and losses of lives. The findings also showed that economic life of the people, especially longevity and lifestyle, has been affected. Hence, to drastically reduce this negative effect, the study therefore recommended that government should award contracts to those contractors that have strong financial base for their projects, and should make every effort to supervise the work for the safety of the citizens, and when there is a change in administration, previously commenced project should not be abandoned.

Keywords: Economic impact, Project Construction, Project Abandonment, Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA), Enugu, Onitsha.