Comparative Study of Labor-Based and Machine-Based Method on Rural Road Construction and Maintenance in Jimma Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

The construction of physical infrastructure is contributory for poverty reduction in developing countries. Roads, as one of the main infrastructure components, have been given more attention in Ethiopia due to lack of highly developed infrastructure, particularly in rural road sector since it is the basic needs for any kind of economic activities. Selection of the appropriate road construction and maintenance method such as labor-based or machine-based method is important to be financially viable for rural roads. Most rural road construction projects usually suffer with the problem of selecting the appropriate methodology for the proposed rural road project and implementation of the selected technology. In Ethiopia, Universal Rural Road Access program (URRAP), is an employment intensive program where possible, number of employment use as a first step out of poverty alleviation using labor-based road construction but problems and constraints as well as challenges were encountered to implement labor-based method which forces to the mobilization of machines. The main objective of this research is, therefore, to carry-out comparative analysis of on-going and completed rural road projects in Jimma Zone, and to establish a qualitative and quantitative benefits of different technologies used in rural road construction and maintenance. The study had been concentrated on the cost aspects rather than the technical issue, since the researcher assumed that the activities involved were carried out by labor force. The study had developed its research framework through different combination including reviewing literatures. Fifty one questionnaires were distributed to identify problems and constraints as well as challenges encountered and corresponding scope of works to be done using the appropriate method from the three parties (4 consultants, 9 contractors and client). Collection of direct cost data including labor, material and equipment from 36 (409.56 km) ongoing and 8 (92 km) completed rural road projects on five Weredas of Jimma Zone. The researcher analyzed the collected data by establishing the actual cost of carrying out with an average of 1 kilometer of rural road construction and maintenance using labor-based and machine-based methods individually. It also included some problems, constraints and challenges that were encountered together with the corresponding scope of works to be done when using one of the two method based on degree of severity and relative importance. Results from financial cost comparison indicated that using labor-based method for rural road construction and maintenance in Jimma Zone compared to machine-based method to carry out the same work was observed to have 47.04% cheaper. This figure showed that the share of unskilled average direct labor cost was an amazing 65.97% from the total direct cost for laborbased method and 1% less for machine-based methods. Labor-based method directly employed more than 300 unskilled laborers per workdays for a month in production of average 1 kilometer section of rural road while less than 5 unskilled laborers for machine-based method. From the aggregated result of labor-based method, it is effective in terms of using labor force.The most identified problems and constraint as well as challenge encountered were as follows: budget or payment constraints, difficulty in mobilization for labor-based, cash requirement for machine mobilization at the beginning and project delays in inspection. However, the researcher revealed that there was similarity of constraints on delays of payments. All these factors have seen that there were a great impact during the selection and implementation of the appropriate technology for the proposed rural road construction project. In addition, the study had come up with the corresponding scope of work to be done for both methods: pre-technological study should be made for different locations of the country to become feasible before selection of methodology to be utilized in rural road project implemented, trainings must be given for professionals at the beginning and from time to time until sufficient knowledge about implementation of LBM is insured towards consultant and contractors. Avoid long waiting period to certify payments for contractors on completed activities to secure safe cash flows and machinery expenses on time, likewise the labor-based program, machine-based program should be initiated to have a flexible choice of technology effective for the proposed locations of the project and finally projects need to be handed over on time at programmed budget year to avoid overlapping of last year project to present year and to use the safest or favorable climatic condition for rural road works.