Economic transformation and the provision of basic infrastructure to engender growth and development in any nation is vested in the construction industry hence the massive investment of the government in this sector. However, the expected gains of the construction industry have been eroded by the failure of many construction projects due to unethical professional practices on the part of the construction professionals. This study analyzed the causes and effects of unethical practices on the industry and project delivery with measures to combat the unethical practices among the stakeholders. The study adopted the survey design and a stratified random sampling technique was used to select 140 respondents. A structured questionnaire was designed and administered to construction professionals (Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Builders and Engineers). The relative importance index tool was used to analyse the severity of the factors identified. Findings revealed the absence of punishment for unethical practices (0.94), collusion between officials, consultants and contractors (0.91), availability of loopholes in project monitoring (0.89), weak law enforcement institution (0.87) and greed for money (0.83) among others as major causes of unethical professional practices which have serious effects on the construction industry. The result also revealed poor workmanship and substandard project delivery (0.88), high cost of construction (0.86), the collapse of structures/buildings (0.82), inflated contract sums (0.81), high maintenance cost (0.79), time and cost overrun (0.76) as the extremely severe effects of unethical practices in the industry. Prosecution and punishment of offenders (0.98), the whilstle blower protection policies and rewards (0.84), strengthening of institutionand anticorruption agencies (0.78), award of contracts on merit (0.75) and civil society participation and oversight (0.68) were identified as highly effective measures to curtail unethical professional practices. The study recommends that the government being a major actor should abide by the due process of contract award and letting, using Public Procurement Act (PPA) guidelines in executing all its construction projects. The professionals, contractors and clients’ representatives should also exhibit high professional excellence through adherence to professional ethics and codes of conduct.

The roles of Quantity Surveyors, who are the construction economists is to support cost effectiveness of construction projects planning through the pre-construction stage to post construction stage of projects. Despite being recognized as a professional discipline, Quantity Surveyors are not immune to the threats and risks in their operating environment. Consequence of which when poorly managed may be detrimental to Quantity Surveying practice and overall performance of construction project. Therefore, the study assesses the risk management techniques of the Quantity Surveyors in construction projects with a view of enhancing a better performance in project delivery. The construction industry is subject to more risk than any other industry. Risk management has become an integral process in managing construction projects. To complete most construction project on time, minimizing cost and wastages proper risk management techniques must be employed. Some authors of journals, conferences, text written by professional were consulted and datas were collected with the aid of well-structured questionnaires administered to forty six (46) respondents. The data generated were further analyzed using descriptive statistical tools such as percentages, frequencies and mean index score (MIS). The research findings identified that most Quantity Surveyors understand and practice risks management in construction industry while very few practice it unknowingly (i.e they do not really understand it) financial, design and physical risk were discovered as some of the most sources of risk in construction projects. Also risk reduction is most popular among the professional Quantity Surveyors as methods and tools for managing and mitigating risks respectively in construction projects. The study concludes that the most sources of risk in construction project delivery often experienced by the Quantity surveyors are financial and design risks. The recommendations suggest that the client should consult competent and qualified professional Quantity Surveyors from the early stage through the completion stage of a construction project. The professional Quantity Surveyors should continue to acquire new skills through training and retraining to meet the changing nature of construction environment.