Construction of roads using labour based technology; opportunities and challenges in feeder roads

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Date
NOVEMBER, 2016
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Abstract
The use of construction investments as a tool for governments to stabilize the economy shows the industry’s key position in national development strategy. Construction of transport infrastructure specifically feeder roads provides a great stimulus for development. Labour Based Technology is seen not only as a sustainable approach to feeder road construction delivery but as a critical means of providing employment to the wider rural community. Despite this, literature shows that the adoption of this technology is on the decline. Against this background, this study sought to identify the level of experience of contractors in using labour based technology in feeder road construction, the opportunities for road contractors in the construction of feeder roads using labour based technology and to identify the challenges for road contractors in the construction of feeder roads using labour based technology. Following the literature review, quantitative research approach was adopted to collect data. The data was collected by administering questionnaires to the contractors based in the Upper East region with experience in Labour Based Technology. Adopting convenience sampling approach, a total of 25 contractors were surveyed. Relative Importance Index and Mean Score Analysis were used in analysing the survey data collected. The results revealed that the major challenge to using Labour Based Technology is the need for training and skills development of the workforce. The study also found that misconception about labour based technology poses a pronounced impediment to it being adopted and used. Moreover, employment was the most paramount opportunity provided by labour based technology. Key recommendations include provision of training programs to increase the skills and capacity of labour based road contractors.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Department of Building Technology, College of Art and Built Environment in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of a Master of Science,
Keywords
Feeder Roads, Road Contractors, Labour Based Technology
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