Comparative Study of Labor-Based Method and Machine-Based Method at Rural Road Construction and Maintenance in Jimma Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Anwar Kassahun Dunffa; Emer Tucay Quezon; Elmer De Castro Agon

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajce.20170504.13

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Comparative Study of Labor-Based Method and Machine-Based Method at Rural Road Construction and Maintenance in Jimma Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Anwar Kassahun Dunffa, Emer Tucay Quezon, Elmer De Castro Agon

Published in American Journal of Civil Engineering (Volume 5, Issue 4)

Received: 11 April 2017 Accepted: 20 April 2017 Published: 21 June 2017

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Abstract

The construction of physical infrastructure is contributory for poverty alleviation in every country. The road is one of the major components which is very significant in Ethiopia due to lack of highly developed infrastructure, particularly in the rural road sector. Selection of the appropriate road construction and maintenance methods such as labor-based method or machine-based method is necessary to be financially viable. Most rural road construction projects usually suffer from the problem of selecting the appropriate technology for the proposed project and implementation of the chosen technology. In Ethiopia, Universal Rural Road Access Program (URRAP) is an employment-intensive program for employment purpose as a first step, out of poverty using labor-based road construction. However, there are problems, constraints, and challenges encountered when implementing labor-based method leading to enforce the mobilization of machines. The aim of this research study is to carry out the comparative analysis of ongoing and finished rural road projects in Jimma Zone and to establish a qualitative and quantitative merit of various technologies used in rural road construction and maintenance. Results showed from financial cost comparison, the labor - based method was 47% cheaper than a machine-based method to carry out the same tasks. On the other hand, the share of unskilled average direct labor cost comprised of an astounding 65% more of the total direct cost of a labor-based method. Also, labor-based method directly employed 300 unskilled laborers per workday for a month to complete 1.0 km section of a rural road.

Published in	American Journal of Civil Engineering (Volume 5, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajce.20170504.13
Page(s)	212-219
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Poverty Alleviation, Labor-Based and Machine-Based Methods, Rural Road Construction and Maintenance, Universal Rural Road Access Program (URRAP)

References

[1]	ILO (June 2008); Comparative Study of the Impact of Labor-Based and Equipment-Based Methods in Road works in Ethiopia – Study Rural Roads Authorities in Tigray and Amhara Regions in collaboration with the International Labor Organization.
[2]	Ashong, k. (1994); Labor-Based Road Construction Projects, Summary of Activities and Progress. Ministry of Roads and Highways, Department of Feeder Roads, Accra.
[3]	Ethiopian Road Authority (2011); Revised Universal Rural Road Access Program, Addis Ababa.
[4]	K & Associates Professional Services in Collaboration with Daima Associates Limited (May 2004); Comparative Study On the Impact Of Labor-Based And Equipment-Based Methods In Road Works In Tanzania.
[5]	Cheung et al., (2004); Iyer and Jha, (2005); Ugwu and Haupt, (2007).
[6]	Elisabeth, A. S. & Jan, D. V. (October 1996); Expanding Labor-Based Methods for Road Works in Africa.
[7]	Gary, T. (27 July 1998); Cost Comparison between Labor-Based and Equipment-Based Methods for Roadwork’s: A Case Study from Ghana.
[8]	John, V. R. (2005); Labor-Based Roadwork’s: In development.
[9]	Melese Mengistu, Prof. Emer T. Quezon, Getachew Kebede, (2016); Assessment of Factors Affecting Labor Productivity on Road Construction Projects in Oromia Region, Bale Zone, IJSER, Vol 7, Issue 11, pages 899-910.
[10]	Grebehewit Girmay, (July 1994); Rural Roads Development in Ethiopia.
[11]	Ahmed Atef Gaddalah, (TRB 2012); Assessment of Labor Based Construction Methods in Egyptian Rural Roads.
[12]	Paul Munters, (2003); “Jobs or Machine”, International Labour Office, ILO, Geneva.

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Anwar Kassahun Dunffa, Emer Tucay Quezon, Elmer De Castro Agon. (2017). Comparative Study of Labor-Based Method and Machine-Based Method at Rural Road Construction and Maintenance in Jimma Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. American Journal of Civil Engineering, 5(4), 212-219. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20170504.13

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ACS Style

Anwar Kassahun Dunffa; Emer Tucay Quezon; Elmer De Castro Agon. Comparative Study of Labor-Based Method and Machine-Based Method at Rural Road Construction and Maintenance in Jimma Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Am. J. Civ. Eng. 2017, 5(4), 212-219. doi: 10.11648/j.ajce.20170504.13

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AMA Style

Anwar Kassahun Dunffa, Emer Tucay Quezon, Elmer De Castro Agon. Comparative Study of Labor-Based Method and Machine-Based Method at Rural Road Construction and Maintenance in Jimma Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Am J Civ Eng. 2017;5(4):212-219. doi: 10.11648/j.ajce.20170504.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ajce.20170504.13,
  author = {Anwar Kassahun Dunffa and Emer Tucay Quezon and Elmer De Castro Agon},
  title = {Comparative Study of Labor-Based Method and Machine-Based Method at Rural Road Construction and Maintenance in Jimma Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia},
  journal = {American Journal of Civil Engineering},
  volume = {5},
  number = {4},
  pages = {212-219},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajce.20170504.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20170504.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajce.20170504.13},
  abstract = {The construction of physical infrastructure is contributory for poverty alleviation in every country. The road is one of the major components which is very significant in Ethiopia due to lack of highly developed infrastructure, particularly in the rural road sector. Selection of the appropriate road construction and maintenance methods such as labor-based method or machine-based method is necessary to be financially viable. Most rural road construction projects usually suffer from the problem of selecting the appropriate technology for the proposed project and implementation of the chosen technology. In Ethiopia, Universal Rural Road Access Program (URRAP) is an employment-intensive program for employment purpose as a first step, out of poverty using labor-based road construction. However, there are problems, constraints, and challenges encountered when implementing labor-based method leading to enforce the mobilization of machines. The aim of this research study is to carry out the comparative analysis of ongoing and finished rural road projects in Jimma Zone and to establish a qualitative and quantitative merit of various technologies used in rural road construction and maintenance. Results showed from financial cost comparison, the labor - based method was 47% cheaper than a machine-based method to carry out the same tasks. On the other hand, the share of unskilled average direct labor cost comprised of an astounding 65% more of the total direct cost of a labor-based method. Also, labor-based method directly employed 300 unskilled laborers per workday for a month to complete 1.0 km section of a rural road.},
 year = {2017}
}

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T1  - Comparative Study of Labor-Based Method and Machine-Based Method at Rural Road Construction and Maintenance in Jimma Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia
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AU  - Emer Tucay Quezon
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AB  - The construction of physical infrastructure is contributory for poverty alleviation in every country. The road is one of the major components which is very significant in Ethiopia due to lack of highly developed infrastructure, particularly in the rural road sector. Selection of the appropriate road construction and maintenance methods such as labor-based method or machine-based method is necessary to be financially viable. Most rural road construction projects usually suffer from the problem of selecting the appropriate technology for the proposed project and implementation of the chosen technology. In Ethiopia, Universal Rural Road Access Program (URRAP) is an employment-intensive program for employment purpose as a first step, out of poverty using labor-based road construction. However, there are problems, constraints, and challenges encountered when implementing labor-based method leading to enforce the mobilization of machines. The aim of this research study is to carry out the comparative analysis of ongoing and finished rural road projects in Jimma Zone and to establish a qualitative and quantitative merit of various technologies used in rural road construction and maintenance. Results showed from financial cost comparison, the labor - based method was 47% cheaper than a machine-based method to carry out the same tasks. On the other hand, the share of unskilled average direct labor cost comprised of an astounding 65% more of the total direct cost of a labor-based method. Also, labor-based method directly employed 300 unskilled laborers per workday for a month to complete 1.0 km section of a rural road.
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Author Information

Anwar Kassahun Dunffa

Construction Engineering and Management, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Jimma Institute of Technology, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
Emer Tucay Quezon

Construction Engineering and Management Stream, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Jimma Institute of Technology, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
Elmer De Castro Agon

Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Jimma Institute of Technology, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia

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APA Style

Anwar Kassahun Dunffa, Emer Tucay Quezon, Elmer De Castro Agon. (2017). Comparative Study of Labor-Based Method and Machine-Based Method at Rural Road Construction and Maintenance in Jimma Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. American Journal of Civil Engineering, 5(4), 212-219. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20170504.13

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ACS Style

Anwar Kassahun Dunffa; Emer Tucay Quezon; Elmer De Castro Agon. Comparative Study of Labor-Based Method and Machine-Based Method at Rural Road Construction and Maintenance in Jimma Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Am. J. Civ. Eng. 2017, 5(4), 212-219. doi: 10.11648/j.ajce.20170504.13

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AMA Style

Anwar Kassahun Dunffa, Emer Tucay Quezon, Elmer De Castro Agon. Comparative Study of Labor-Based Method and Machine-Based Method at Rural Road Construction and Maintenance in Jimma Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Am J Civ Eng. 2017;5(4):212-219. doi: 10.11648/j.ajce.20170504.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ajce.20170504.13,
  author = {Anwar Kassahun Dunffa and Emer Tucay Quezon and Elmer De Castro Agon},
  title = {Comparative Study of Labor-Based Method and Machine-Based Method at Rural Road Construction and Maintenance in Jimma Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia},
  journal = {American Journal of Civil Engineering},
  volume = {5},
  number = {4},
  pages = {212-219},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajce.20170504.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20170504.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajce.20170504.13},
  abstract = {The construction of physical infrastructure is contributory for poverty alleviation in every country. The road is one of the major components which is very significant in Ethiopia due to lack of highly developed infrastructure, particularly in the rural road sector. Selection of the appropriate road construction and maintenance methods such as labor-based method or machine-based method is necessary to be financially viable. Most rural road construction projects usually suffer from the problem of selecting the appropriate technology for the proposed project and implementation of the chosen technology. In Ethiopia, Universal Rural Road Access Program (URRAP) is an employment-intensive program for employment purpose as a first step, out of poverty using labor-based road construction. However, there are problems, constraints, and challenges encountered when implementing labor-based method leading to enforce the mobilization of machines. The aim of this research study is to carry out the comparative analysis of ongoing and finished rural road projects in Jimma Zone and to establish a qualitative and quantitative merit of various technologies used in rural road construction and maintenance. Results showed from financial cost comparison, the labor - based method was 47% cheaper than a machine-based method to carry out the same tasks. On the other hand, the share of unskilled average direct labor cost comprised of an astounding 65% more of the total direct cost of a labor-based method. Also, labor-based method directly employed 300 unskilled laborers per workday for a month to complete 1.0 km section of a rural road.},
 year = {2017}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Comparative Study of Labor-Based Method and Machine-Based Method at Rural Road Construction and Maintenance in Jimma Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia
AU  - Anwar Kassahun Dunffa
AU  - Emer Tucay Quezon
AU  - Elmer De Castro Agon
Y1  - 2017/06/21
PY  - 2017
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20170504.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajce.20170504.13
T2  - American Journal of Civil Engineering
JF  - American Journal of Civil Engineering
JO  - American Journal of Civil Engineering
SP  - 212
EP  - 219
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8737
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20170504.13
AB  - The construction of physical infrastructure is contributory for poverty alleviation in every country. The road is one of the major components which is very significant in Ethiopia due to lack of highly developed infrastructure, particularly in the rural road sector. Selection of the appropriate road construction and maintenance methods such as labor-based method or machine-based method is necessary to be financially viable. Most rural road construction projects usually suffer from the problem of selecting the appropriate technology for the proposed project and implementation of the chosen technology. In Ethiopia, Universal Rural Road Access Program (URRAP) is an employment-intensive program for employment purpose as a first step, out of poverty using labor-based road construction. However, there are problems, constraints, and challenges encountered when implementing labor-based method leading to enforce the mobilization of machines. The aim of this research study is to carry out the comparative analysis of ongoing and finished rural road projects in Jimma Zone and to establish a qualitative and quantitative merit of various technologies used in rural road construction and maintenance. Results showed from financial cost comparison, the labor - based method was 47% cheaper than a machine-based method to carry out the same tasks. On the other hand, the share of unskilled average direct labor cost comprised of an astounding 65% more of the total direct cost of a labor-based method. Also, labor-based method directly employed 300 unskilled laborers per workday for a month to complete 1.0 km section of a rural road.
VL  - 5
IS  - 4
ER  -

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