Investigating the effect of owning and hiring equipment on the timely completion of road construction projects in Kampala

Abstract

The study was on the effect of owning and hiring Equipment on the timely completion of road construction projects in Kampala as per KCCA and the objectives of the study were to; establish the equipment ownership status of the contracting companies, establish the contractual project durations of road projects on equipment hire basis as per KCCA, e establish the contractual project durations of road projects on equipment ownership basis as per KCCA and to establish the completion time differences amongst the companies. The design of the study was a descriptive survey and was undertaken from contracting companies as per KCCA. The study targeted 10 respondents from the contracting companies. Data was collected through face to face interviews and through a questionnaire and was analysed using descriptive statistics. The study recommends, Class B firms should develop formal utilization standards and review processes to encounter underutilisation of Equipment, Class B firms should consider the rental option for specialized equipment that is underutilized amongst their fleet. There is need to develop a policy or program to encourage hiring equipment while focusing on key equipment classes first, Investigations on rental and short-term lease agreements for emergency response and seasonal equipment may be carried out. This helps hiring firms, Request long-term rental/lease quotes from vendors, Qualified workers should be assigned for dealing with equipments, having a regular maintenance and assigning contractors with sufficient equipment.