PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND VALUE FOR MONEY IN GOVERNMENT ROADS CONSTRUCTION. A CASE STUDY OF NTUNGAMO-MIRAMA ROAD CONSTRUCTION IN WESTERN UGANDA

ABSTRACT

Poor project management in government roads construction has affected Uganda’s economic development because millions of money are spent in such projects in order to boost economy through increased trade both internal and foreign, tourism and other investment sectors however roads are still in poor conditions which has retarded development. The purpose of this descriptive case study was to describe the strategies and processes needed to improve performance of government roads sector.  Such strategies would significantly improve the quality of national roads and ensure that such roads are delivered in time and within budget. Two conceptual theories and one model framed the research study: the theory of constraints, the agency cost theory and the contract management model which guided the study. The study stood on three specific objectives of: To examine how procurement procedures have enhanced value for money in the, to examine how monitoring and evaluation has earned value for money and to assess the contribution of stakeholder management in ensuring value for money in the construction of Ntungamo-Mirama road. Slovin’s formular was applied and a sample size of 122 was determined out of a population of 175respondents. 90 respondents provided valid data (actual response) and this was collected through use of both primary and secondary methods like interviews, questionnaires and documentary reviews respectively. The study findings indicated that averagely procurement procedures were being followed by UNRA in managing road construction projects. Additionally, it was found out that one of the challenge still affecting road construction projects is monitoring and evaluation, failure to effect government rules and regulations together with reluctance in managing stakeholders.

It’s from the above background therefore that the researcher recommended the need to adhere to procurement rules as stipulated in the PPDA act 2003, having a keen eye towards monitoring of roads projects and use of stakeholder umbrella which helps in identifying stakeholders and measuring their impact towards projects.

Finally, due to predominance of public private partnerships in infrastructure development especially in developing countries, I suggested further areas of research in this area to find out whether they have added value in terms of cost effectiveness. Quality and timely delivery. More investigations should be in District urban and community access roads (DUCAR)’s effectiveness in relation to the decentralization policy(s).

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATIONi

APPROVALii

DEDICATIONiii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTiv

LIST OF FIGURESv

LIST OF TABLESvi

LIST OF APPENDICESviii

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONSviii

TABLE OF CONTENTSx

ABSTRACTxiv

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION1

Background to the study:1

Statement of the problem7

Purpose of the study9

Objectives of the study9

Research questions9

Research hyposeses.9

Significance of the study10

Scope of the study.10

The geographical scope10

The time scope11

The content scope11

Setting of the study.11

The Structure of the dissertation.11

Conclusion12

CHAPTER TWO: STUDY LITERATURE13

Introduction13

Literature survey13

Literature review14

The Theoretical review.17

Procurement procedures and value for money21

Contract management23

Stake holder management and value for money.26

The Conceptual framework.33

The Conceptual framework34

Conclusion35

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY36

Introduction36

Research Design36

Research Strategy36

Research approach36

Research duration37

Study Population37

Sample size38

Sampling methods39

Sampling techniques39

Simple random sampling techniques40

Snow ball sampling40

Purposive Sampling techniques40

Census sampling40

Data collection procedure41

Data collection methods41

Primary data collection methods41

Secondary data collection methods41

Data collection instruments41

Self-administered questionnaires (SAQs)42

Interview guide42

Observation Checklist42

Validity and reliability43

Cronbarch’s alpha formular.44

Data processing44

Data Analysis44

Ethical Considerations.45

Limitations45

Conclusion45

CHAPTER FOUR51

PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES AND VALUE FOR MONEY IN GOVERNMENT ROADS CONSTRUCTION.51

Introduction51

TENDERING AND VALUE FOR MONEY51

AWARDING CRITERION AND VALUE FOR MONEY.55

CONTRACT MANAGEMENT AND VALUE FOR MONEY57

HYPOTHESIS ONE TEST RESULTS60

CHAPTER FIVE62

OBJECTIVE TWO: PROJECT MONITORING, EVALUATION AND VALUE FOR MONEY.62

Risk Management62

HUMAN RESOURCE EFFECTIVENESS65

RAW MATERIALS67

HYPOTHESIS TWO TEST RESULTS70

CHAPTER SIX72

OBJECTIVE THREE: STAKE HOLDER MANAGEMENT AND VALUE FOR MONEY72

STAKEHOLDER IDENTIFICATION72

STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATION75

STAKEHOLDER MONITORING AND CONTROL78

HYPOTHESIS THREE TESTS RESULTS.81

CHAPTER SEVEN83

TOWARD HARMONIZING PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND VALUE FOR MONEY IN GOVERNMENT ROADS CONSTRUCTION IN UGANDA.83

Introduction83

PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES AND VALUE FOR MONEY83

PROJECT MONITORING, EVALUATION AND VALUE FOR MONEY86

STAKE HOLDER MANAGEMENT AND VALUE FOR MONEY.88

STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATION89

STAKEHOLDER MONITORING AND CONTROL……………………………………………………90

CHAPTER EIGHT92

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS92

Introduction92

RECOMMENDATIONS95

REFERENCES96

APPENDIX I:Self-administered questionnaire103

APPENDIX II: An interview guide .107