Assessment Of Common Barriers And Their Impact On Building Construction Project: A Case Of Wolaita Sodo Town

Abstract

The construction sector is crucial to the nation's social and economic development. It creates infrastructure, generates employment opportunities, and contributes to economic growth. However, the construction industry in Ethiopia, particularly in Wolaita Sodo town, faces significant challenges that hinder its progress. Factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, increased conflicts, drought, and economic crises have negatively impacted construction projects across Ethiopia. This study aimed to explore the common barriers and their impacts on building construction projects in Wolaita Sodo town. Data was collected through questionnaires, interviews, and observations from clients, consultants, and contractors in the construction industry. The collected data were analyzed using percentage frequencies and cross-tabulation with the assistance of SPSS analysis. The findings revealed that the most common barriers in building construction projects were economical, technical, and unexpected. Economic barriers included the increase in material and equipment costs and undefined life cycle costs. Technical barriers involved the insufficient use of resources and problems with resource quality. The unexpected barrier most strongly agreed upon by respondents was the impact of COVID-19. The study also found that a significant proportion (89.3%) of projects did not progress as planned, with economic barriers having the most significant impact. These barriers resulted in client dissatisfaction and project delays or failures. Various strategies were suggested by respondents to address these barriers. This included managing inflation and seeking price adjustments, implementing measures to mitigate unexpected barriers, embracing innovation, reducing knowledge gaps, and implementing effective government policies. Collaboration among all stakeholders was emphasized to intervene and overcome the identified barriers. In conclusion, this study assessed the common barriers faced by building construction projects in Wolaita Sodo town. The findings highlighted the challenges in achieving planned project objectives and the resulting consequences, such as client dissatisfaction and rework. The suggested strategies serve as possible solutions to mitigate these barriers and improve the performance of construction projects. Effective collaboration among all stakeholders is crucial to ensuring successful project outcomes.