IMPACT OF ABANDONED ROAD CONSTRUCTION ON THE ENVIRONMENT

1.1 Background of the Study
The well-being of any nation lies on its functional and a readily available infra-structure. Infrastructural facilities play a key role in every nation and enhances the built environment. According to Macdonald, (2015) infrastructure can be defined as the aggre¬gate of all facilities that allow a society to function effectively, believing it as a wide range of economic and social activities crucial to creating and enabling an environ¬ment for economic growth and an enhanced quality of life. The impact of abandoned urban infrastructure in Nigeria on our environmental sustenance is enormous due to the continuous abandonment of urban infrastructure in Nigeria (which has become very worrisome); thus, the need to pay urgent atten¬tion to the causes of this abandonment has become very germane. Adesina, (2010) opined that more than N5 trillion in government projects were abandoned across Nigeria, expressing “deep worry” over the situation considering the fact that the country was incurring huge losses due to the abandonment.

Road construction projects in Nigeria are confronted with a lot of complexities and ambiguities as a result ofuncertainties of not meeting project deadlines which also hinge on low quality and cost overruns, whichinvariably lead to failure and abandoned of such projects. According to Amade et al.(2015), incessantfailure and abandonment of road projects by the public sector in Nigeria has affected the development of thecountry. By abandonment, one means to leave something, especially something you are responsible for with nointention of returning to it (Advanced Learners’ Dictionary, 2007). The road construction project is known to be the primary and focal point on which the development ofany country rests. It is viewed as the live wire as well as an instrument of choice of a country due to its role inproviding the basic requirements for the entire citizenry. To a greater extent, the growth and development of acountry is determined by the quality and capability of its products from the road construction sector.Unfortunately, the inherent complex, uncertain and dynamic state of most road construction projectscreated obvious problems of not achieving their initially stated objectives. Despite Nigeria’s position as thelargest economy compared to other African countries, Nigeria has persistently performed poorly in terms ofproviding for her citizens the best life can offer in terms of good roads. Construction is an industry that involves complex and dynamic processes. It consists of successfulcoordination of multiple discrete business entities such as professionals, tradesmen, manufacturers, trade unions,investors, local authorities, specialists, trade contractors, and others. Road construction projects impact on anation’s economy and successful completion of this construction projects leads to wealth creation, socioeconomic growth and improved standards of living. Nations are evaluated as “developed”, “developing” and “underdeveloped” based on the quantity and quality of completed road construction projects in their domain. However, in every project to be undertaken, planning is very important, hence the rate of abandoned road project in the South Eastern Nigeria is so alarming, for examples, Awka-Onitsha express road, Enugu-Onitsha express road, Nnobi-Igboukwu express road, to mention but few. However, this study is focusing its attention on Awka South L.G.A. This abandonment on road construction projects therefore impacts on the economic projections of these states and the nation at large. Delays in the completion of abandoned highway construction projects are one ofthe most recurring problems facing the country. It has resulted to costly, risky and undesirable consequences onthe projects’ success in terms of time, cost, quality and safety. That said, the daring influences exerted on the overall economy of a country by these road construction projects, especially the abandoned ones cannot be taken for granted.

1.2 Statement of the problem
In many parts of Nigeria, normal interactions have been frustrated by abandoned roads. Vehicles owners are in distress as their vehicles are not used optimally. Travelling by road, especially in the South East, and particularly in Enugu-Onitsha highway, which is our case study, is a nightmare as the roads are in terrible conditions despites the so-called huge expenditure on their reconstruction and maintenance. This failure of the Awka South L.G.A. road bugs the mind of its regular users, and the lack of maintenance of this road has resulted to the formation of big potholes on the lanes; the accumulations of flood along the highway, environmental pollution and erosion have completely cut off a section of its lanes. In fact, these problems have become an embarrassing stigma for those who use it. In addition, these dents have also resulted in many vehicles breaking down on the Awka South L.G.A. road. Hence, emergency mechanics have sprung up to assist stranded drivers and commuters, sometimes with disastrous consequences. The road, as a matter of fact, is so deplorable that most vehicles which ply that road invariably end up at mechanics’ workshops at the end of every journey. Armed robberies, raping and other mischievous activities have assumed steady menaces along this road, particularly at night. There have been accidents and in some cases, loss of lives and property. Based on this, the researchers seek to add to the existing knowledge by investigating on the economic impact of this abandoned highway construction project in Nigeria, with special reference to that of Awka South L.G.A. road, which has caused a lot of problem tothose who use it. This study will help to proffer solution that will drastically reduce abandonment of road projects in Nigeria.

1.3 Aim and Objective of the Study
i. Access the current state of road construction in Awka South L.G.A.
ii. Identify how abandoned road construction affect the environment.
iii. Consider the current and future factors that might affect the environment due to abandoned road construction.