CAUSES OF WATER SUPPLY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT DELAY THE CASE OF SILTIE ZONE IN CENTRAL ETHIOPIA REGION

Abstract Construction delays are a common problem worldwide. These problems occur frequently during project life time leading to dispute and litigation. Therefore it is essential to study and analyse the causes of construction delay. To obtain expert opinions from the sector, in total fifty seven (57) factors were identified and made part of the survey questionnaire and the survey was conducted with stakeholders from contractors, client and consultants. The researcher select 88 respondents based on purposive sampling method and gathered data using questionnaire. In addition interview questions which enable to achieve the objectives of the research were developed and collect data from 5 interviewees, the interviewees are selected based on their long experience in the sector. The research design was based on descriptive survey and explanatory approaches. The survey has shown the top ten ranked factors of causes of water supply construction project delay The results were analysed using relative importance index and multiple linear regression analysis to determine client contractor and consultant awareness toward the construction project delay influencing factors in construction projects to see independent variables effect on dependent variable The study found that independent variables showed significant relation with the dependent variable and the independent variables describe 41.3% of variance of the dependent variable of construction projects delay in Silite Zone. These are (1) Poor supervision, (2) Underestimation of complexity of project (3) Unrealistic contract duration (4). Client’s financial shortage (4) Delayed payment to contractor (5) Slowness in decision making process. (6). Inaccurate cost estimation (7). Late material supply (8). Escalation of material price (9) Equipment unavailability (10) Slowness in giving instruction In addition ranking of the factor tested with the use of spearman rank coefficient of correlation the agreement among clients, contractors and consultants the result of the test shows positive correlation between parties. The study recommended to all parties for mitigating project delay.