Abstract:
This study tried to assess causes for failure of public projects in Ethiopia particularly in Jimma
Zone. The study used descriptive research design and qualitative research approach and simple
random sampling in determining the representative sample size of the target population. The
data was collected from the respondents through questionnaire and semi-structured interview
and analyzed using descriptive statistics and frequencies and also Pearson correlations utilized
to examine the association among the variables. The study identified five categories of factors
as administrative, political, natural, technical and economical factors which might have a
significant contribution to the failure of public projects in Jimma Zone. Five major factors were
assessed such as corruption, political interference, weather change, design change and change
in economic environment and these independent variables were examined and identified as
major findings of the study. The results were discussed and interpreted and finally the study
recommended to the concerned government organs as, making the bid competition free from
corruption and transparent and strengthening accountability, making selection criteria based
on competency and also adding previous performance to the criteria to win another project,
establishing project committee by their project related profession rather than political position
considering harsh seasons while setting project time schedule, closely evaluating the design of
the project by different professionals and developing long lasting design before implementation
and to reduce the economic impact, establishing public shops which can supply raw materials
with minimum price to public projects.
