One of the biggest challenges blighting the fast improvement of the roads network across the country is the failure of contractors to deliver on projects in time. In some extreme cases, contractors abandon road works halfway.
UNRA
In a move to streamline and pace up road works projects, the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has designed a new measure to bar contractors who do not finish a pre-determined percentage of work within a stipulated time frame from undertaking new projects under its jurisdiction.
The real time performance measurement will award new contracts depending on history and current level of works that a firm is undertaking under the authority’s jurisdiction.
Ayalew Kebede, UNRA’s acting director of procurement explains how the new mechanism will work: “For example, in August 2013, on a weighted average, on all projects that a bidder has with UNRA; he must have met at least 60% of the planned project. If the bidder meets less than that (60%), then he cannot qualify for projects coming in September 2013.”
Kebede explains that underperforming bidders will be disqualified at the technical stage, and their financial bids will not be opened, because, as Kebede explains: “You cannot rely on a price offered by a poor performing contractor.”
This measure is part of the authority’s comprehensive accreditation proposal, which will be presented to public procurement regulator, the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) this year.
Why contractors don’t meet performance targets
Kebede says the failure of contractors to meet targets is facilitated by the lack of capacity, a major handicap facing the roads sector in Uganda.
Besides lacking adequate and appropriate equipment and human resources, Kebede says many construction firms do not have ideal management teams.
“If they (contractors) had management capacity, they would have hired equipment (to move faster and meet performance targets). Many have one or two people (in administrative positions). They do not have suitable organisational structures,” he says.
By Billy Rwothungeyo, The New Vision
