The supervision and execution of the periodic maintenance of selected unpaved national roads in 23 UNRA stations lot 3: Gulu station: Gulu – Opit – Odek bridge road (63.1km)

Abstract

This project report contains details of the supervision and execution of the Periodic Maintenance of Selected Unpaved National Roads for 23 UNRA Stations (Lot 3: Gulu Station): Gulu – Opit – Odek Bridge Road (63.1 Km) in which the author of this report participated as the Project Manager. The employer referred to as the Procuring and Disposal Entity in the contract was Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and the main contractor was M/s. Brottos Uganda Limited. The source of funding for this project was the Government of Uganda (GoU). The contract was awarded to M/s. Brottos Uganda Limited at a Contract price of Uganda Shillings Three Billion Three Hundred Fourteen Million Eight Hundred Sixty Seven Thousands Eight Hundred Shillings (UGX: 3,314,867,800/=). The contract was signed on the 9th July, 2020 and works commenced on the 26th August, 2020. The contract duration was for 9 months and the completion date was expected to have been achieved by the 26th May 2021. However that was not attainable and the contractor was charged liquidated damages after having practically completed the works on the 8th October, 2021. This was because no Extension of Time was granted by the employer. This project report further details the major activities undertaken during the execution of the works and these included: heavy grading, gravelling, drainage improvement and clearance works. It also expressly provides details of the construction methodology, contract administration and project management procedures undertaken by the author that focused on time management, quality assurance and cost management during the project execution from commencement of works up to the Defects Liability Period. Some of the challenges encountered during the project execution included: delayed payments to the contractor, inclement weather conditions, obtaining of good quality gravel material within reasonable distance and the rampant cases of theft related to removal of road traffic warning signs that lead incidences of road accidents especially in the night. The author explains how some of these challenges were addressed and shares the lessons learnt from this project and provides recommendations and conclusions how similar projects can be managed in future.