Browsing by Author "John, Peter"

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    Assessment of the factors causing the escalation of paved roads construction costs in Tanzania: a case study of ministry of works (Tanzania National Roads Agency - TANROADS)
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2011) John, Peter
    This study presents the experience on the effect of cost escalation of two - lane paved road project executed by TANROADS which is under the Ministry of Works in Tanzania. The research aimed at assessing the factors that contribute to cost escalation and recommending desirable solutions. The study used multiple methodologies including in-depth interviews, documentations review and analysis so as to identify factors for cost escalation in Tanzania. During this study, 21 persons from the construction authoritative Institutions were interviewed. The respondents included engineers, quantity surveyors, architects and institution heads from MOW, TANROADS, ERB, AQRB, CRB, NCC, TACECA and ACET. The research findings revealed the four priority factors causing cost escalation include: price increase of materials, equipments and labourers; late payments caused by inadequate allocation of budgets funds; high dependency to foreign contractors and consultants in design, execution, and supervision; and inadequate capacity of implementing Agency for cost control during planning, design, and implementation of the road projects. Other factors include: inadequate availability of construction equipment, materials, and skilled labourers in the locality; currency devaluations; and long procurement process and award of the contract of the procurement entity. The overall conclusion is that the Ministry of Works and TANROADS lack effective tool and code of practice for establishing and controlling unit rate for paved road projects in Tanzania. It is recommended that a code of practice should be developed to be used as a guiding tool and cost control during planning and implementation of roads project. The code of practice should explain the different methods and approaches on how to prepare and control the cost of paved roads projects in Tanzania. In order to implement the code of practice, it is recommended that TANROADS and MOW establish an appropriate guidance including software for the purpose. The software should be based on the actual cost based method. It is also recommended to increase the capacity of implementing agency, local contactors and consultants for effective planning, execution and supervision of the paved road project.
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    The economics of residential solid waste disposal: evidence from Dar es Salaam city, Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2011) John, Peter
    The rate of improper disposal of solid waste is increasing at an alarming rate especially in urbanized areas. This study examines the patterns and determinants of solid waste disposal practices adopted by household budget survey data. The study uses a Multinomial Logit (MNL) model to examine the underlying determinants of choosing ways to dispose garbage, i.e., rubbish pit inside compound, rubbish pit outside compound, rubbish bin, thrown outside and other. The descriptive results reveal that about 35% of the respondents used rubbish bin, and approximately 24% were using throwing out option. This is against the use of rubbish pit outside compound, rubbish pit inside compound and other. Estimation results of a MNL suggest that household choices of these practices are determined by a certain combination of factors such as age, education and occupation of the household head, distance to the main road, home ownership, proportions of females and family members above 45 years, expenditure per adult equivalent and municipality location. This study provides useful insights into sustainable Solid Waste Management practices in Dar es Salaam city. It recommends that policy makers have to rely much on policies that will reduce poverty and raise households’ income. Then, the city has to increase the supply of waste containers on streets, to increase the number of municipal vehicles for garbage collection and to ensure the regular collection. Further, through mass education, media advertisements and use of fees or fines, could lead to safe solid waste disposal practices.