Table 1 shows the response of respondents on severity of selected risks in the construction business. The result presented has Delayed Payment Challenge, Financial Risk and Design risk coming 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd respectively as major risks in road construction business.

It is important to note that some other researchers have done similar work on this in different countries and have also found delayed payment challenge or financial challenge ranking first among other risks associated with construction business in Nigeria. For instance, Alaghbari et al , (2007) examined the factors that cause delay in construction projects in Malaysia and found financial factors to be the most common cause of delays. Again, Sambasivan and Soon (2007) concludes that Clients finance is an important of delay and risk in construction industries in Malaysia. Other risks identified by Sambasivan and Soon (2007) include: Design changes, shortage in materials, labor shortages, equipment availability and failure, contractor’s poor site management and inexperience, problems with subcontractors and equipment availability and failure.

Furthermore, Koushki et al (2005) found major risks in Kuwait to include: Owner’s financial constraints and changing designs. These findings show similarity with what is obtainable in the south east geopolitical zone of Nigeria which also may not differ across Nigeria. Going by the already set values for this study, it is important to note that all factors outlined in table 1 (excluding volcanic eruption and landslides which fall below 3.0) were accepted by respondents as risks affecting construction business in Nigeria. The study area is not known to experience volcanic eruptions and landslides and hence it is not surprising why it is not seen as risks by the respondents.