Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to improve key stakeholders’ understanding of the effects
of irregular road maintenance on urban road project costs. The study adopted the survey
research design. Quantitative research method was used to gather primary data. The
population for the study was 23 consisting of Urban Roads Management experts at the
Urban Roads Department in Accra specifically Okaikoi –North, Okaikoi –South, East
Ayawaso and Osu-krotey. The researcher used purposive sampling technique to select 23
respondents for the study. Interview guide, questionnaires and observations were used to
gather primary data. In analyzing the data collected, both the descriptive and quantitative
methods were used. Tables, frequencies, percentages, Pie and bar charts were used to
present and analyze data collected from the field. The key findings of the study concluded
that there seems to be little acceptance that constant care of a road would result in
prolonging the time when a major input of funds is required to solve the problem caused
by the lack of routine maintenance. The social and economic impacts of urban roads are
well established. Urban roads improve urban access, which facilitates marketing,
schooling and health services. Better access provides the opportunity for increased income
and employment opportunities and can also contribute to the alleviation of poverty. Still,
maintenance of urban roads is seriously neglected in Ghana. Areas with poor road access
are generally more disadvantaged than areas which are better served. Investments in rural
roads can therefore often be justified from both a socio-economic and a poverty reduction
point of view. The study recommended that, the government and development partners
should invest in routine road maintenance activities to sustain the Accra Metropolis road
network. The Ministry of Roads and highways should conduct periodic road maintenance
Description:
A Dissertation in the DEPARTMENT OF CONSTRUCTION and WOOD
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION, Faculty of TECHNICAL EDUCATION,
Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, University of Education, Winneba
– Kumasi in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for Award of the Master of
Technology Education (Construction Technology) Degree.
AUGUST, 2016
