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A desk study of road infrastructure performance measurement criteria

- Okoro, Chioma, Musonda, Innocent, Agumba, Justus

  • Authors: Okoro, Chioma , Musonda, Innocent , Agumba, Justus
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Performance , Performance measurement , Roads
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/244823 , uj:25321 , Citation: Okoro, C., Musonda, I. & Agumba, J. 2017. A desk study of road infrastructure performance measurement criteria.
  • Description: Abstract: Transport infrastructure meets the demands for people and cargo delivery by providing access to working, shopping and travelling and improving the quality of life of citizens. Road infrastructure needs to be sustained for eons after its development. However, there is no consensus on the criteria upon which the operational performance of road infrastructure projects is assessed. This paper aims to identify all potential criteria for assessing road projects in operation. A desk study was conducted using relevant journal and conference papers obtained from databases including ASCE Library, Science Direct and Ebscohost. Thematic analysis was used to identify emerging themes from extant literature. The themes were tabulated and ranked based on their frequency of occurrence to determine the most important criteria for measuring the performance of road projects in operation. Findings indicate that institutional productivity and effectiveness, operational efficiency, health and safety, mobility, environmental element, public acceptability, asset value, legal and technical factors can be used to assess the performance of road projects. The study provides vital information which would be beneficial to project managers, and indeed investors, in assessing and projecting sustainable performance of road projects in operation.
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A principal components analysis of safety performance measures: a study among construction workers in Gauteng, South Africa

- Okoro, Chioma, Musonda, Innocent, Agumba, Justus

  • Authors: Okoro, Chioma , Musonda, Innocent , Agumba, Justus
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Construction workers , Exploratory factor analysis , Gauteng
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/216627 , uj:21531 , Citation: Okoro, C., Musonda, I & Agumba, J. 2016. A principal components analysis of safety performance measures: a study among construction workers in Gauteng, South Africa.
  • Description: Abstract: The health and safety (H&S) of construction workers has been a subject of much deliberation for decades. However, there is scant literature focusing on aspects of workers’ safety performance (SP) relating to their unhealthy and unsafe eating behavior. The paper presents findings on a principal components analysis (PCA) of H&S performance measures. A 10-item questionnaire which was developed after an extensive literature review was used to collect empirical data on SP of construction workers in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. Results showed that SP could be reasonably measured by two constructs. The two constructs were clearly defined by the PCA as trailing and prevailing. The emerged trailing measures were named lagging indicators while the prevailing ones were designated as leading indicators. The results lend support to extant literature which advocates the use of both leading and lagging safety performance indicators for effectively assessing construction workers’ safety performance. The study provides evidence which could be beneficial in psychometric evaluation of construction workers’ safety performance and behaviours on construction sites.
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A review of factors influencing construction workers’ nutritional uptake

- Okoro, Chioma, Musonda, Innocent, Agumba, Justus

  • Authors: Okoro, Chioma , Musonda, Innocent , Agumba, Justus
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Construction workers - Nutrition
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:4889 , ISBN 978-0-86970-782-1 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12603
  • Description: Purpose: Nutrition is linked with construction worker health and safety (H&S) performance. Some accidents, injuries and in some cases, deaths on construction sites are direct or indirect results of physical and psychological distresses (chronic health conditions and mental instability) arising from poor nutrition of construction workers. This alarming situation could gravely affect construction workers, their families, the industry and the economy as a whole since health will be adversely affected, performance will be hindered, avoidable on-site exigencies, injuries and sometimes deaths will occur, resulting in lost working hours or days, lost wages, increased healthcare costs, and decline in productivity and Gross Domestic Product. This study therefore reviews the factors which influence the nutritional uptake amongst construction workers and possible interventions. Methods: This study is based on review of previous literature on the construction industry and its H&S performance, as well as factors influencing nutritional uptake and nutrition interventions in the construction industry. The literature review was based on both international and South African context. Findings: The study revealed that construction workers’ nutrition is influenced by personal factors and environmental factors. The study also established feasible nutrition interventions based on these factors. Nutrition promotion initiatives need to target the different influences on construction workers’ nutritional uptake. Value: The study highlights construction workers’ nutrition influencers and reveals feasible strategies to improve nutrition and thus safety performance on construction sites. Practical implications: Findings from this study will inform development and implementation of programmes and policies targeted towards nutritional uptake tailored for construction workers.
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An appraisal of critical risk factors in construction projects in South Africa : perspective of contractors

- Renault, Berenger, Agumba, Justus, Ansary, Nazeem

  • Authors: Renault, Berenger , Agumba, Justus , Ansary, Nazeem
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Construction , Contractors , Risk factors
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/214935 , uj:21343 , Citation: Renault, B., Agumba, J & Ansary, N. 2016. An appraisal of critical risk factors in construction projects in South Africa : perspective of contractors.
  • Description: Abstract: The significant impact of construction projects on a nation has been characterized in literature in terms of infrastructure development and job creation. These projects are nevertheless associated with various risks that need to be managed to ensure successful delivery. Hence, the identification of these risk factors is of utmost importance. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing contractors‘ perception of critical risk factors in construction projects in Gauteng (South Africa). Explorative and questionnaire survey methods were employed to obtain data from literature and construction professionals all practising in Gauteng. Results revealed that supply of faulty materials, poor communication between involved parties, financial failure of the contractor, working at dangerous areas and closure were the five critical risk factors in construction projects. It is obvious from the results that the knowledge of the identified critical risk factors furnishes invaluable information to the construction contractor concerning what risk variables to focus attention on in construction activities. The paper contributes to the identification of critical risk factors in construction projects from an objective point.
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An integrative literature review of critical liveability indicators in urban transport infrastructure planning

- Okoro, Chioma, Musonda, Innocent, Agumba, Justus

  • Authors: Okoro, Chioma , Musonda, Innocent , Agumba, Justus
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Development , Liveability , Planning
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/238011 , uj:24396 , Citation: Okoro, C., Musonda, I. & Agumba, J. 2017. An integrative literature review of critical liveability indicators in urban transport infrastructure planning.
  • Description: Abstract: It is pertinent that urban transport infrastructure developments do not disrupt the lifestyle, health, wellbeing and quality of life of the citizenry for which they are planned. The study aims to identify critical criteria upon which liveability can be measured in an area or location in which transport infrastructure development (new or capacity expansion) is proposed. Existing literature was reviewed and synthesised to identify liveability indicators used in previous studies. Review materials were sourced from accredited journals and conference proceedings. The materials were selected based on their currency and possession of the following keywords and phrases: liveability, sustainability, liveability considerations, liveability indicators, wellbeing of habitants, road planning, and transport infrastructure. Thematic content analysis was used to identify the emerging themes (liveability indicators) from the review. The factors identified were discussed based on their frequency of occurrence, which revealed the relative degree of consensus about them in the literature reviewed. Findings indicate that pollution, ease of access to amenities, services and opportunities, efficiency and effectiveness of service, safety and security, generally indicate liveability (in relation to transport development) in an urban area. Other indicators including availability of alternative modes of transport, reliability/travel time reduction, street aesthetic quality and economic vitality/business environment were also reported as benchmarks for urban liveability. By identifying the indicators of liveability in an urban area, the study provides valuable information that will be useful to road infrastructure planners in evaluating the impact of proposed road infrastructure developments on the environment and the citizenry for which they are intended. The major limitation of the study lies in the fact that it presents a distillation of extant literature which may not really reflect the reality of what is considered “liveable”. Nonetheless, planners will take cognizance of the identified liveability indicators when planning for road projects, whether for new road or capacity expansion.
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Assessing safety performance of construction workers in Gauteng, South Africa

- Okoro, Chioma Sylvia, Musonda, Innocent, Agumba, Justus

Assessment of credit accessibility to construction SMEs in the South African construction industry using binary logistic regression

- Balogun, Olanrewaju Abdul, Ansary, Nazeem, Agumba, Justus

Critical considerations in transport service demand forecasting : a literature review

- Okoro, Chioma, Musonda, Innocent, Agumba, Justus

  • Authors: Okoro, Chioma , Musonda, Innocent , Agumba, Justus
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Demand , Forecasting , Infrastructure
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/214949 , uj:21345 , Citation: Okoro, C., Musonda, I & Agumba, J. 2016. Critical considerations in transport service demand forecasting : a literature review.
  • Description: Abstract: Infrastructure plays important roles in the development of cities, improvement in the quality of lives and overall socio-economic development and growth of economies. Infrastructure projects are, however, fraught with uncertainties regarding costs, benefits and performance. These uncertainties, if not accurately predicted in the planning of projects, could result in undesirable financial, social and economic consequences. The aim of the current paper is to identify critical factors which influence transport infrastructure performance forecasting outcomes and which should essentially be considered in order to minimize or eliminate errors. A review of related literature was conducted from journals, conference proceedings, magazines, theses and dissertations using databases including Science Direct, Emerald, Ebscohost, Academic Search Complete and ASCE library. The studies reviewed were based on international and South African context. Results revealed that project characteristics including size of project, capacity improvement and time lapses between construction life cycle phases, availability and type of data used, methodology used as well as traffic demand factors influence the outcome and validity of transport infrastructure feasibility studies. The study provides invaluable information to built environment professionals and stakeholders as well as infrastructure policymakers in accurately assessing probable outcomes, positive, in terms of benefits and negative, with regard to costs of proposed projects in order to avoid financial and economic risks. In addition, the study will be indispensable to infrastructure financiers and developers in effective allocation of scarce construction/development funds.
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Critical planning considerations for PPP road project sustainability : a case study approach

- Okoro, Chioma, Musonda, Innocent, Agumba, Justus

  • Authors: Okoro, Chioma , Musonda, Innocent , Agumba, Justus
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Public-private partnerships , Road infrastructure , Sustainability
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/278514 , uj:29890 , Citation: Okoro, C., Musonda, I. & Agumba, J. 2018. Critical planning considerations for PPP road project sustainability : a case study approach.
  • Description: Abstract: Road transport projects are complex and laden with risks and uncertainties which influence their success or otherwise; even more so, with projects involving the private sector. Private investors decide to proceed with projects based on projections of costs and benefits potentially accruing to a proposed project, which ultimately reflect the success or failure of the project. However, the risks associated with roads delivered through public-private-partnerships (PPP) are grave and if strategies are not put in place to reduce or mitigate the chances of their occurrence, the expected performance of the projects may not be realised. The current paper aims to identify critical feasibility considerations to ensure sustainability of PPP road projects. A thematic content analysis of extant literature and case study illustrations was undertaken. Journal and conference articles were sourced from databases including Academic Search Complete, ASCE Library, Google Scholar, Scopus, Taylor and Francis, Google and Science Direct. Findings revealed that joint decision-making and concessionaire selection procedure and considerations were the most important feasibility factors for PPP road projects sustainability. These factors should be taken cognisance of at the feasibility stage to ensure that mechanisms are put in place in order to realise expected project performance.
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Early retirement of construction workers in South Africa : case of occupation permanent disability

- Agumba, Justus, Musonda, Innocent

  • Authors: Agumba, Justus , Musonda, Innocent
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Accidents , Construction industry , Permanent disability
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/244756 , uj:25312 , Citation: Agumba, J. & Musonda, I. 2017. Early retirement of construction workers in South Africa : case of occupation permanent disability.
  • Description: Abstract: The purpose of this study is to determine the types of accidents that lead to permanent disability of construction workers resulting in early retirement. The data was obtained from Federated Employer Mutual Assurance (FEM). The types of accidents were analysed from the decade of data from 2007 to 2016. The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The analysis established that 7 670 accidents were experienced in the construction industry from 2007 to 2016, of which the major cause of accidents in the construction industry in South Africa was being struck by e.g. object while working. Furthermore, the highest average cost of accident was when a construction worker was electrocuted, the average cost was R214 767.00. The most fatal accidents was caused by motor vehicles. The study further established that there is a 10% chance of a construction worker to be permanently disabled and take early retirement or permanently disabled without taking early retirement when involved in any type of accident while at work. In conclusion construction workers using any work related vehicle, either being transported to site or using the vehicle on site, caution should be adhered to in order to prevent fatalities. The government of South Africa should ensure that strict measures are taken for drivers who do not observe the traffic rules on site and on the public roads. This will ensure the prevention of permanent disability, among the construction workers in South Africa. It is also imperative for construction workers to receive training on health and safety when they work in any construction project, this need to be emphasized on a daily on site by the construction health and safety practitioners. The authors recommends a further study on the type of injury and ill-health associated with the type of accident that force the construction worker to retire early.
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Establishing nutritional intake and determinants of food choice amongst construction workers in Gauteng, South Africa

- Okoro, Chioma Sylvia, Musonda, Innocent, Agumba, Justus

Experience of using Delphi method in construction health and safety research

- Agumba, Justus, Musonda, Innocent

Factors for selecting joint venture partner for construction project in South Africa

- Mba, Bekale, Agumba, Justus

  • Authors: Mba, Bekale , Agumba, Justus
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Construction industry - South Africa , Joint ventures - South Africa , Partnership - South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/218675 , uj:21805 , Citation: Mba, B. & Agumba, J. 2017. Factors for selecting joint venture partner for construction project in South Africa.
  • Description: Abstract: The construction industry plays a vital role in South Africa’s economic and social development where this industry provides the physical infrastructure and backbone for economic activity while providing a large-scale provider of employment. In a world of rapidly increasing global competition, enterprises partake in joint ventures in order to stay competitive and strategically flexible. Even though, one of the most prevalent types of business arrangements that are being used by South Africans, in the tender environment, is Joint Venture, risks are innate in JV construction projects and lead to at least 40% to 70% of JVs failure. As a result, the success of a joint venture evidently depends on the synergy created by the individual contributions of each partner, and thus, a good joint venture management lies not only in the implementation of the project, but also a proper partner selection. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify the factors to select JV partner. A quantitative research methodology was adopted and the data was collected through the use of questionnaires. Key findings reveal that the selection criteria of JV partner(s) include the commitment between the partners, complementary technical skills, compatible management teams, complementary resources, commitment to joint venture objectives as well as trust between partners. Other selection criteria which appear to be neutral to respondents relate to mutual dependency and relative company size. As the study reveals these findings, interested and concerned parties (contractors, consultants, owners of construction companies) are able to improve by far the performance of JV construction projects in South Africa before signing contracts agreement.
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Health and safety management practices in small and medium enterprises in the South African construction industry

- Agumba, Justus, Pretorius, Jan Harm, Haupt, Theo

  • Authors: Agumba, Justus , Pretorius, Jan Harm , Haupt, Theo
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Construction industry - South Africa
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:4898 , ISSN 1023-0564 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12991
  • Description: Considering its share in, and impact on national economies, the construction industry receives additional attention in terms of its performance and productivity, especially among small and medium contractors. However, with the extensive workforce it employs, health and safety (H&S) issues have become important, since the industry still has the reputation of being one of those with the highest fatality and accident rates. It has been well established from literature and previous studies (Fernandez-Muniz, Montes-Peon & Vazquez- Ordas, 2007: 636; Rajendran & Gambatese, 2009: 1072) that managing H&S helps to ensure that construction organisations are achieving their H&S objectives. As such, H&S management practices constitute a vehicle to improve H&S performance. Given the dominance of small and medium contractors in the construction sector, the challenge is to determine what needs to be measured and practised by these Small and Medium Construction Enterprises (SMCEs) at project level. The objective of this article is to validate the H&S practices that small and medium construction enterprises practise in order to improve H&S performance at project level.
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Health and safety management practices in small and medium enterprises in the South African construction industry

- Agumba, Justus, Pretorius, J.H, Haupt, Theo

Nutritional awareness in the construction industry

- Okoro, Chioma, Musonda, Innocent, Agumba, Justus

  • Authors: Okoro, Chioma , Musonda, Innocent , Agumba, Justus
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Construction workers - Nutrition , Construction workers - Health and hygiene
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/55372 , uj:16285 , Citation: Okoro, C., Musonda, I. & Agumba, J. 2015. Nutritional awareness in the construction industry. Proceedings of the International Conference on Infrastructure Investments in Africa (DII-2015), September 16-18, Livingstone:383-390. , ISBN: 978-0-86970-787-6.
  • Description: Abstract: Nutrition is linked with construction worker health, wellbeing and productivity improvements. Unhealthy eating may result in reduced immunity, increased proneness to developing chronic diseases, reduced concentration and alertness and reduced productivity. Improving the nutrition of construction workers is therefore of paramount concern. Although it is generally acknowledged that improving nutrition requires an understanding of the factors which influence construction workers‟ food choices, it has also been shown that the first step in achieving healthy eating is through increasing nutritional awareness and knowledge which will help in inculcating positive nutritional behaviour. The present paper therefore aims to highlight the state of nutritional knowledge among construction workers and possible ways of increasing nutritional awareness. A review of literature related to nutritional knowledge of workers, as well as health, safety and productivity of construction workers, was conducted. Sources included web- based journal and conference articles, magazines and reports. The distillation of literature through thematic analysis revealed that construction workers are aware of the benefits of nutrition in improving their health, safety and productivity, albeit it is seldom reflected in the food choices they make. The study also established that nutrition education programmes which target specific audiences and go beyond disseminating information to creating an enabling environment, ultimately beget long-term positive nutritional behaviours. The study concludes that increasing awareness of the importance of nutrition education and similar interventions could primarily improve construction workers‟ nutrition and in turn, health, safety, wellbeing and productivity. It is recommended that construction stakeholders view nutrition education as an integral aspect of health and safety training on sites. It should be mandatory for companies to have nutrition training sessions for employees on a continuous basis.
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Project management planning tools and techniques in small and medium construction enterprises in South Africa

- Agumba, Justus, Fester, Ferdinand

Safety performance evaluation of construction workers in Gauteng, South Africa

- Okoro, Chioma, Musonda, Innocent, Agumba, Justus

Sustainability indicators for a transportation infrastructure investor

- Okoro, Chioma, Musonda, Innocent, Agumba, Justus

Traffic demand determinants : a review of long-term scenario effects

- Okoro, Chioma, Musonda, Innocent, Agumba, Justus

  • Authors: Okoro, Chioma , Musonda, Innocent , Agumba, Justus
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Forecasting , Infrastructure , Planning
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/216628 , uj:21532 , Citation: Okoro, C., Musonda, I & Agumba, J. 2016. Traffic demand determinants : a review of long-term scenario effects.
  • Description: Abstract: Transportation infrastructure provision is critical to the development of urban areas. Transport infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and ports are increasingly becoming the corner stone in determining the strength of cities, improving the quality of lives and overall socio-economic development and growth of economies. However, these projects are stochastic in nature and fraught with uncertainties which, if not accurately predicted, can lead to inadequate assessment and management of risks. The aim of the present paper is to identify critical factors which moderate traffic demand over a long period of time, and which should ideally be included in transport demand forecasts. A detailed review of literature was conducted from online journals, conference proceedings and theses using databases including Science Direct, Ebscohost, Google, Emerald and ASCE Library. Findings show that socio-economic factors (such as income, age, employment, vehicle operating costs, fuel price and tax polices), sociocultural factors (such as security, comfort, alternative/competing transport modes, leisure time), and environmental factors (such as pollution, traffic congestion, distance from station and frequency of trips) influence traffic demand. These findings would provide valuable evidence for adequate management of risks in infrastructure planning, and for public policy.
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