THE ROLE OF EFFECTIVE CONTRACT DOCUMENTATION IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF DISPUTE AKWA IBOM STATE

The nature of conflict in the construction industry is so complex that if not properly managed can reduce productivity or escalate to litigation, this is due to varieties of people involved in it execution. Hence, Nigeria is not an exemption due to diverse religion, ethnicity and tribes which makes conflict inevitable in the Nigerian construction industry. The objectives aimed at examining the role of effective contract documentation in dispute resolution in the Nigeria construction industry; to identify the common causes of dispute in the construction industry. The study identified factors responsible for errors in contract documentation and the data were collected using primary and secondary method. Information was obtained from 120 respondents in six construction industries in Akwa Ibom State. Out of the one hundred and twenty questionnaires administered, one hundred and fifteen were retrieved and used for the analysis of the study. The statistical methods used for analysis were frequencies, percentages and charts. The study revealed that effective contract documentation provides basis for settling dispute in construction contract; mostly between the client and contractor by means of alternative dispute resolution method. It also identified the role during pre and post contract stage not only to control time and cost but also to enhance and facilitate the smooth processes of production in project management. The study concluded that effective contract documentation is indispensable in the record keeping which forms the basis for the resolution during the progress or after execution of the project. The result was tested using student Z-test and was found to be statistically significant (P