The economic of labour based construction and maintenance of rural roads in Tanzania.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the economics of the labour-based method for construction and maintenance of rural roads in Tanzania as opposed to the equipment-based methods. The research methodology employed was intended to permit both the researcher and participants to reveal reasons and views held on the various aspects under study. For this reason, surveys were used as the primary method for collecting data on productivity and cost of equipment and labourers. The analysis of equipment and labour costs in various regions and workshops and my personal experiences were used to perform the data analysis qualitatively. The equipment-based method was found to be up to 38 % more costly than the labour-based method. The study found that items contributing significantly on operational costs are equipment maintenance, fuel and depreciation which fall into equipment based method. The labour based method was found to play a big role for it is most common, favoured, cheap and consequently it boosts the local economy. It was also found that due to Tanzania's poor economy, characterized by high unemployment, the labour-based method would be the best option since no foreign exchange is needed, and there is a waiting labour force in the country. In the cause of the research, it was discovered that the few heavy equipment available for road construction in the country was grossly underutilised, partly because lack of foreign exchange, which makes difficult to buy spares. There was however an indication that lack of management skills also played a part. Thus, the study suggested that the labour based method should be maintained and sustained in Tanzania.