AN ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTS OF DELAYS IN HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN GHANA: A CASE STUDY OF THE GREATER ACCRA AND EASTERN REGIONS

ABSTRACT

The highway system of every country forms an integral part of its development. The construction of this highway poses many challenges to inhabitants. Due to cash flow difficulties and others like Variations/Changes in scope of project, highway construction projects delays have become prevalent in Ghana. The effects of these delays that manifest both directly and indirectly tend to be ignored by the authorities. This research sought to identify the most significant causes and effects of delays and suggests, effective ways to minimize/mitigate them. The study was conducted through questionnaire survey supplemented with interviews among contractors and consultants by assessing the importance they attach to factors causing delays and ways in minimizing them. The research revealed the most significant effects of highway construction delays as high interests paid on delayed claims and compensations for fluctuation, traffic hold-ups and user delays, locked-up goods and services in the communities, health hazards to users in traffic hold-ups for inhaling carbon monoxide, soil erosion and higher labour and material costs. The rest are loss of business to locals in the work zones, locked up capital in plant and equipment as well as degrading landscape and aesthetics of towns and cities. Increased production cost and depreciating incomes result into low quality of work and labour agitations. The study identifies prompt payment, incentives for completion and realistic calculations as the most effective ways of mitigating delays in highway construction and its associated effects. The study also makes some recommendations on training of personnel, well-resourced independent Road Fund and proposes authority for local pressure groups to act as catalyst for early completion of projects and observance of Environmental obligations.