Contract management and road construction project performance under the municipal infrastructure development program :case study of Soroti municipal council

Abstract

The general objective of the study was to establish the relationship between contract management and road construction project performance under the USMID program. The specific objectives of the study related to examining the relationship between contract implementation planning, supervision and variations management and road construction project performance in Soroti Municipal Council. A cross-sectional survey design using both quantitative and qualitative approaches was adopted. The study population included Soroti Municipal Council technical staff, elected leaders and contractor representatives. The study found a high positive and sign ificant relationship between contract implementation planning and USMID project performance (r = 0.691 **, p = 0.000). There was a high positive and significant relationship between contract supervision and USMID project performance (r = 0.751 ** and p = 0.000). There was a high positive and significant relationship between variations management and USMID project performance (r = 0.740** and significance p = 0.000). It was concluded that USMID project performance was dependent on how the projects management team undertakes to effectively carry out contract implementation planning, conduct contract supervision and manage cost and price variations during contract management. To enhance the present and future USMID World Bank project time, cost and quality performance, the study recommends that the municipal project management team and contractors should adequately conduct project resource planning, by identifying and availing the necessary construction equipment and laboratory fac ilities for testing quality of construction works; strengthen stakeholder management through active involvement and collaboration with technical, donor and political Municipal stakeholders in USMTD project implementation. On contract supervisions the projects should regularly convene progress review meetings, spot inspections with donor and Municipal political stakeholders. On management of contract variations, the project management team and contractors should promptly identify and resolve any project scope of works change, Bill of quantities, time and quality variations during contract performance; promptly identify and resolve any project cost variations arising from project scope, inflation, time and technical costs variations. The use of procurement legal provisions and industry standards could be sought for prompt project cost variations management.