The impact of clients' procurement challenges on the substance goals of roads construction projects in Songwe, Tanzania

Execution of construction projects within the estimated timeline, budget and quality are the prime substance goals of procurement projects. Delays result into cost-overrun and attempts to minimise cost result into delays or delivery of sub-standard projects. This study examines the impact of clients' procurement challenges that hinder realisation of project's cost effective, quality standards and timely delivery using descriptive research design. Data were collected from 83 contractors and consultants with reference to their involvement in Songwe's roads construction projects. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Multinomial Logistic Regression. The findings are that 35.44% of projects revealed cost-overrun, 56.96% had time-overrun, and 6.56% never meet quality standards. Corruption, financial constraints, unrealistic contract durations, non-compliance with contractual terms and conditions are the typical clients' procurement challenges that hamper the substance goals of roads construction projects, resulting into financial penalties, project abandonment and contractual disputes. The article highlights and documents the clients' procurement challenges in Tanzania's roads construction projects that have not been adequately researched. To policy makers, project practitioners, scholars and oversight authorities, the article informs on the indicators that impede cost, quality and timely delivery of construction projects. Non-procurement and contractors' challenges impeding project's cost, time and quality were not taken into account.

Automated summary

This study examines the impact of clients' procurement challenges on construction projects, finding that corruption, financial constraints, unrealistic contract durations, and non-compliance with contractual terms and conditions are the main factors affecting the cost, time, and quality of projects. These challenges lead to cost-overruns, time-overruns, and failure to meet quality standards.