EFFECT OF IRREGULAR ROAD MAINTENANCE ON THE LIFE PROJECT CYCLE COST (CASE STUDY OF GOVERNMENT URBAN ROAD IN ACCRA MUNICIPALITY)

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to improve key stakeholders’ understanding of the effects of irregular road maintenance on urban road project costs. The study adopted the survey research design. Quantitative research method was used to gather primary data. The population for the study was 23 consisting of Urban Roads Management experts at the Urban Roads Department in Accra specifically Okaikoi –North, Okaikoi –South, East Ayawaso and Osu-krotey. The researcher used purposive sampling technique to select 23 respondents for the study. Interview guide, questionnaires and observations were used to gather primary data. In analyzing the data collected, both the descriptive and quantitative methods were used. Tables, frequencies, percentages, Pie and bar charts were used to present and analyze data collected from the field. The key findings of the study concluded that there seems to be little acceptance that constant care of a road would result in prolonging the time when a major input of funds is required to solve the problem caused by the lack of routine maintenance. The social and economic impacts of urban roads are well established. Urban roads improve urban access, which facilitates marketing, schooling and health services. Better access provides the opportunity for increased income and employment opportunities and can also contribute to the alleviation of poverty. Still, maintenance of urban roads is seriously neglected in Ghana. Areas with poor road access are generally more disadvantaged than areas which are better served. Investments in rural roads can therefore often be justified from both a socio-economic and a poverty reduction point of view.  The study recommended that, the government and development partners should invest in routine road maintenance activities to sustain the Accra Metropolis road network. The Ministry of Roads and highways should conduct periodic road maintenance seminars, forums and workshops to enhance the expertise of the road maintenance engineers.