AN ASSESSMENT OF CRITICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING PRODUCTIVITY OF CRAFTSMEN ON CONSTRUCTION SITES IN KADUNA METROPOLIS.

Productivity at both micro and macroeconomic level is a serious issue as far as the industrialsector is concerned and construction industry is one of such industries that make very higheconomic contributions in every nation. Consequently, productivity of labour is particularlyimportant especially in developing countries where most of the building construction work is stillon manual basis. This research assesses the critical factors influencing productivity of craftsmenon construction sites in Kaduna Metropolis with a view to; identify factors influencing productivityof craftsmen on construction sites, to measure the level of influence of these factors on labourproductivity, and to establish tools for improving labour productivity of craftsmen on constructionsite. It was carried out by means of literature review and field survey entailing the use of a wellstructuredquestionnaire. and descriptive analysis was employed .A total of seventy-eight (78)questionnaires were distributed with sixty-three (63) returned well filled giving a percentageresponse of 80.77%. The result of the analysis revealed that; the three most significant workerfactorsthat affect productivity are worker expertise, worker capability and worker morale andattitude, the most significant materials/tools related factors are material conditions, materialapplicability and material quantity, the most significant work characteristics related factors arework space, working field accessibility and work environment and the most significantManagement and control related factors are management capability, drawing and specificationalteration during execution and payment delay. Thus, the paper concluded that Construction sitesin Kaduna Metropolis are faced by poor productivity of craftsmen leading to construction ofsubstandard structure and abandonment of projects, in turn the following are recommended; theemployment of workers with high skills and expertise should be adhered, motivation and trainingof workers should be encouraged as a vital tool in productivity improvement and capability andexperience of craftsmen should be looked into before allocating a task to them.