Socio-economic factors influencing implementation of road construction projects by selected contractors in Nyeri south sub-county, Kenya

Abstract

It is generally accepted by the public and government that road construction projects is vital for economic growth and poverty reduction since it plays a key role in enhancing competitiveness, facilitating trade and integrating countries to the rest of the world. The purpose of the study was to assess the influence of socio-economic factors on implementation of road construction projects by the selected contractors in Nyeri South Sub- County, Kenya. The study was guided by three research objectives: to assess how education level of the project personnel influences project implementation, to establish how financial status influence project implementation, to assess how community engagement influences project implementation. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The sample comprised of 170 project personnel, key project implementers and community members. Study revealed that out that majority 119(72.1%) personnel were trained in on construction work. Pearson Moment Correlation Coefficient showed that there was a positive relationship (0.58) between project personnel education and implementation of road construction projects. Findings revealed that financial problems affected the implementation of road construction projects as indicated by key players of the project implementation Majority 100(60.6%) of the project personnel who got advance payment from their employer every month indicated that they got between Ksh. 1,000 and 3,000. Majority 160(96.9%) of project personnel revealed that they had excuses to give of poor performance to the employer when they were well paid. Pearson Moment Correlation Coefficient revealed that there was strong positive (0.75) relationship between financial status and implementation of road construction project. The study found out that the government policies had significant impact on the sustainability of development projects and the policies should be revised to ensure successful road construction projects by selected contractors. Pearson correlation of use of community engagement against implementation was negative with a value of -.182. The findings implied that community engagement did negatively influence the implementation of road construction projects. Based on the findings, it was concluded that the project personnel had acquired education on construction from Technical Training Institutes. The study concluded that majority 119(72.1%) of project personnel indicated that the construction companies train them on construction work. On the influence of level of financial status and implementation of road construction projects, the study concluded that road construction projects had financial problems. However, there was unavailability of materials. The study lastly concluded that the government had not given enough support to the contractors who were undertaking the road construction projects. Based on the findings, the study recommended that the policy makers to enhance the awareness of contractors’ implementation strategies for successful delivery of road construction projects. Awareness of the community to involved in road construction projects for the success of the implementation and that government to support road construction projects both during implementation and beyond.