FACTORS FOR DELAY IN ROAD CONTRUCTIOM PROJECTS IN TANZANIA

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess factors that contribute to delayed competion of TARURA road construction projects in Arusha region in the past five financial years from 2016/17 to 2021/22. The specific objective was (i) to identify severity contractor-based causes of delays in road projects, (ii) to examine owner-based causes of delayed comletion of road Protects. and (iii) to determine consultant-based reasons for delayed completion of toad projects. The study involved 62 respondents including 29, road contractors and 33 project supervisors. Findings of this study revealed that the top two causes of delays were unsettled issues to do with compensation of people's lands alongside the mad project, shortage of equipment.. Findings showed that there was virtually no difference between severity indices for the two groups of respondents involved in this study namely contractors and supervisors. More pronounced causes of dela, were delays in decision making by thc owner. dela, in progress payments by owner and poor communication between the project owner and the contractors. Contractors indica. that thc top cause of delays due to consultants was incapability of road inspectors while supervisors ranked inflexibility of consultants and delays in performing inspections as two top causes of delays. The study concluded that perceived reasons for delayed road construction projects for contractors and supervisors were different. It was funhcr concluded that project owner (TARURA) did not set up effective system to facilitate smooth execution of road projects. Project contmetors should strive to acquire enough working capital and experience needed to executive road construction timely. Also, projects' owner (TARIJRA) should make timely decisions to enable contractors continence and proceed with the work as per the Planned schedules.