Browsing by Author "Swai, Mary Moses"

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    An Evaluation of road maintenance by contracts in Tanzania.
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2000) Swai, Mary Moses
    This research presents the results of a study reviewing the progress made so far regarding to the contracting of road maintenance works in Tanzania. Previously, road maintenance works were carried out by force account under the Ministry of Works. Experience in the use of force account unit indicated that productivity was generally low due to poor motivation/salaries to employees, lack of accountability and poor supervision and monitoring. This prompted the introduction of the private sector involvement to enable the works to be executed more competitively for improved efficiency. This study has established that regional engineers have utilised this scheme to contract out road maintenance works. Over the last eight years, more than 70% of road maintenance works have been contracted out. Contracting methods such as length-men system, village contractors, petty contractors, registered contractors and a number of other forms of contracting out works are being used by the regional engineers. Their assessment with respect to quality, cost and time factor is generally good. The equipment-based method of contracting is mostly preferred in contrast with village contracts, which are not favoured. The study recommended that: • In order to improve the quality of works executed by contracts, quality of supervision of road works is to be improved; • Conditions of contracts and tendering procedures should be modified, simplified and practised fairly to contractors; • Small and efficient force account should be retained for emergencies to work in remote areas where contractors are reluctant to work; and • In order to improve the contracting of road maintenance the Government should increase the budget for road maintenance and remunerate road staff/supervisors.