PERCEIVED CAUSES OF PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION DELAY IN ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: A CASE OF ADDIS ABABA CITY ROADS AUTHORITY

Abstract

The main objectives of this study were to identify the causes of delay in road construction projects, to study the effects of delay in road construction projects, to study the present use of project management tools and techniques in managing delays and to investigate the role of stakeholders in delay of road projects in Addis Ababa city. Descriptive research design utilized to explain perceived causes of road construction project delay. The study employed a survey questioner, to investigate causes of the problem from respondents. The Questionnaires were used as the main source of gathering information from 95 clerical and professional respondents who work at Addis Ababa City Roads Authority. It was found from the study that the five most influential causes of road project completion delay are: “ Poor site management and supervision ”, “ Late procurement of materials ” ,“ Delays in the conversion and transfer of utility services”, “Poor contract management by different parties” and “ Delays in payments to sub- contractors, machinery renters and contract employees ”. The study identified cost overruns, extension of time, negative social impact, idling of resources and reduction of purchasing power of the allocated budget as major effects of road project delays. First and foremost, the study recommends that continuous monitoring and evaluation should be done in order to ensure that all the steps of the project cycle are achieved. Secondly, the study recommends that effective and efficient material procurement systems should be established within projects. The third recommendation is that the organization should work closely with stakeholders to ensure that on time conversion and transfer of utility services. Finally, the study recommends that AACRA should ensure that application of good project planning and scheduling technique in order to avoid cost overruns and delay.