Abstract:
The construction industry contributes significantly to many countries’ gross domestic
products (GDP).Construction delays are occurring in every phase of a construction project
and are common problems in construction projects in Ethiopia. Moreover, it is well known
that the delays in construction projects are the major causes of project failure. Delays can be
caused by owner, Engineer, contractor, subcontractors and other related reasons. The delay
caused by Main contractors has an impact on all of the contracting parties.
This research questions what the causes, Effects and methods of minimizing delay due to
main contractor on mentioned study area. And has an objective of assessing what the causes
of delay due to main contractors are, their effects and methods of minimizing the causes and
effects of project delay due to main contractors. As this study is a case study, three (3)
projects are chosen from ECWC. A questionnaire survey for the three projects contractors,
consultants and clients was conducted. The perspectives of all the contractors, consultants
and clients are ranked based on Relative Importance index (RII). And also, key informant
interview for each of the 3 projects has been conducted.
The study indicated that the top major causes of delay due to main contractors in ECWC on
Megech Dam Construction project are Delay in subcontractor’s works, Ineffective resource
utilization, Unavailability and poor supply of construction materials. On Ethio ICT are
Difficulties in financing the project by the contractor, Unavailability and poor supply of
construction materials, Delay in subcontractor’s works. On Begondi – Wenbera road
construction project delay in site mobilization, Rework due to errors during construction,
Poor and ineffective planning & scheduling. Whereas the main effects of delay on all of the
three projects were time overrun and cost overrun.
The study also indicated the minimization methods of the causes and effects of delay in
ECWC on the three projects. On Megech Dam Construction Project, the minimization
methods were use of experienced subcontractors and suppliers, Effective resource utilization,
gather the right resource. On Ethio ICT Village construction project, adequate funding
throughout the project, Effective planning and scheduling, Use of experienced subcontractor,
And on Begondi Wenbera Road construction Project, quick site mobilization, Avoid rework,
Effective planning & scheduling were indicated.
The study also concluded that the main top cause of Megech Dam Construction project ,
Ethio ICT and Begondi – Wenbera Road Construction Projects are Delay in subcontractor’s
works, Difficulties in financing the project by the contractor and Delay in site mobilization
respectively and time overrun, cost overrun are the main effects of delay on all the three
projects.
