The construction of subcounty administration block in KOCHEKA subcounty, Bukedea district

Abstract

This report is about the Construction of the Administration Block for Kocheka Sub County in Bukedea District, under which the author participated as Project Manager on the Clients’ side. Detailed construction approach employed and aspects of construction project management practice adopted during the execution phase are also included in the report. The areas discussed at length include the measures I took to ensure the project objectives in terms of cost, quality, time, safety, and environmental aspects were achieved during the execution of the project.

By the time of writing this report, construction works had been concluded, and the project handed over. This project was funded by the Government of the Republic of Uganda at a contract price of TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE MILLION, FOUR HUNDRED NINETY- SEVEN THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED FORTY-THREE SHS (265,497,743 Uganda Shillings), the major objective of the project was to provide decent accommodation for Offices for the Sub County Staff. The contract (ad-measurement) was awarded on February 23rd, 2023, and it took a duration of 3 months to complete.

This report therefore covers the period from contract award to finishes and handover of the project. Generally, the execution and management of this project was a success. Gantt charts were used to manage and control time as concentration was always given to critical activities. Quality was achieved by following standards, specifications, work methods, and close supervision. Costs were also managed through timely resourcing of the activities using the rates provided for the activities. The author ensured the proper involvement of all stakeholders in the project and the smooth flow of information during the period of project execution

On completion of the project, I noted that, for timely completion of the project, there should be; Adequate financial resources as per the project estimated cost, Skilled manpower as demanded by the various tasks, Both the contractor and the client should be interested in the project, Site diaries should be used on site, this helps in variation claims and extension of time. And for Quality Control; It’s always important to have the clerk of works on site, Material test results have to get submitted before the contractor uses a given material, For manufactured materials, it’s important to have a certificate of supply, this will exonerate the supervisor in case of defects after the defect’s liability period, Material testing should always be done by the clients’ team; this helps in the avoidance of compromise, Regular inspection of works, helps in early detection of unwanted works, and hence early remedy, Do not allow influence from the client to pay for un done works, for the contractor will not do as per the standard and it makes its enforcement very difficult. For Cost Control, one should adhere to the following; Savings within the quantities can be transferred to meet unforeseen items, careful instructions be issued after assessing the cost implications, it should be only the authorized technical person to issue instructions, and record of payment should be properly kept, take off sheets are a must in any project. For Time Control, one should observe the following; Ensure that the contractor produces a work schedule in the form of a Ghant chart, Critical activities should be properly spelt of and properly plan for their execution.