Abandoned Projects in Rivers State: A Menace to Development

The scene of abandoned projects sparse across the expanse of Nigeria is alarming, ranging from roads, rails, factories, electricity and housing at all levels of government. Reports have it that Nigeria has become a dumping ground of abandoned projects and these projects worth billions of Naira. It therefore becomes of great concern that Nigeria so blessed with great potentials in the construction industry can experience such extent of abandonment of project. Project abandonment does not aid infrastructural growth or economic development of the state in any way, neither does it forestall development rather it results in lower living standard, inability of attracting foreign investors, lack of employment opportunities, resource wastage, decrease in the tempo of economic activities and lots more. Factors that necessitate project abandonment include Political Reasons, Corruption, Inflation, Poor Feasibility Report, Unaccountability etc. while the effect project abandonment are reduction in living standard, unemployment, reduction in government revenue, economic participation and disappointment to the populace/user of the project if it was completed.