Assesment On The Factors Causing Delay Of Rural Pipe System Water Supply Construction Projects: A Case Of Jimma Zone

Abstract

Delay in construction projects is considered to be one of the common problems in the construction industries throughout the world. Particularly, the problems of delay in water supply construction projects was very sensitive to Ethiopia through negatively affecting the country’s economic and social development. The aim of this study was to assess the factors causing delay of rural pipe system water supply construction projects in Jimma Zone. The study have adopted descriptive research approach and both primary and secondary data were collected through structured Questionnaire and desk review tools. In this research study 33 factors causing delay of rural pipe system water supply construction projects were identified and the structured questionnaire was distributed to 73 respondents and analyzed with relative importance index method. The findings of this study indicated the top ten factors that are causing delay of rural pipe system water supply construction projects in Jimma Zone were:(1)Poor management and supervision of construction site(RII=0.923), (2)Lack of effective planning and evaluation in project construction(RII=0.899), (3)Failing to prepare of effective work methodology and scheduling of Construction projects activities(RII=0.896), (4)Political factors(RII=0.871), (5)Weak communication and coordination of clients with consultants and contractors (RII=0.868),(6)Late payment approval(RII=0.866) and Construction Material Price fluctuation(RII=0.866),(8)Weak communication and coordination of consultants with client and contractor(RII=0.863) and Shortage or lack of productive construction equipment(RII=0.863) and (10)Unexpected surface & sub-surface conditions (such as soil, water table) Or Unforeseen site condition(RII=0.860). The effects of delay identified were :( 1) Time overrun (RII=0.885), (2) Bad public relations (RII=0.816), (3) Non-satisfaction of involved parties in the project construction (RII=0.797) and Cost overrun (RII=0.975). Finally, the mitigation measures determined to reduce delay of rural pipe system water supply construction projects in Jimma zone are ranked as (1)Effective planning, scheduling and Supervision of project construction works(RII=0.899),(2)Having regular project progress evaluation program & clear information and communication channels among the parties involved in project construction(RII=0.832)and(3)The consultants should carry out detail study and design of water supply projects(RII=0.808).Therefore study concluded that the identified delay causing factors are very critical and the proposed mitigation measured can be considered to solve the problem