"Analyzing Procurement Delays in Transportation Projects and Their Impact on

Public Mobility and Economy"

REG NO: 17310091/T.23

NAME: ATHUMAN G. MSAFIRI

MZUMBE @2025
 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION AND THE BACKGROUND OF THE STUDT

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Procurement is a cornerstone of public infrastructure development, especially in the transportation

sector where project success heavily depends on timely and efficient contracting of goods, services, and
works. Transportation projects—such as highways, bridges, railways, and bus systems—require complex
coordination of resources and stakeholders. Procurement delays in this context can stem from unclear
project scopes, lengthy approval processes, budgetary constraints, corruption, or poor contract
management practices. These delays often result in unfinished or underutilized infrastructure,
inconvenience to commuters, and missed opportunities for economic growth.

In many cases, countries with high infrastructure demands face systemic procurement issues that go
unresolved, leading to a cycle of inefficiency. For instance, delays in contractor mobilization may prevent
the start of construction, while disputes during contract execution can halt progress. As a result, the
expected benefits of the project—such as reduced traffic congestion, faster logistics, or job creation—
are postponed or unrealized. Furthermore, because transportation links are vital for trade, commuting,
and economic activities, such delays can limit access to markets, increase travel time and cost, and
reduce national productivity.

By investigating these issues, this study aims to contribute toward improved procurement strategies
that support timely project execution and positively impact public mobility and economic outcomes.

Statement of the Problem

Despite the growing demand and budget allocations for transportation development, governments
continue to encounter repeated delays in project delivery due to procurement inefficiencies. These
issues often result from a combination of administrative red tape, non-compliance with procurement
policies, weak oversight, and lack of procurement skills among public officials. Consequently, many
transportation projects exceed their initial timelines and budgets, which undermines public trust and
wastes resources.

What remains under-researched is how these procurement challenges tangibly affect public life and
economic performance. For example, delayed road upgrades may lead to prolonged traffic congestion,
increased vehicle operating costs, and limited access to employment and social services. On the
economic front, infrastructure delays can deter private investments, reduce tourism, and limit trade
competitiveness. This study addresses the need to quantify and understand these impacts to inform
better decision-making and future project planning.
Objectives of the Study

1. To identify the common causes of procurement delays in transportation infrastructure projects.

– This includes exploring administrative, legal, financial, and logistical factors that contribute to delays
across different procurement phases.

2. To examine how procurement delays affect the timeline and cost of transportation projects.

– Focused on assessing project extensions, cost overruns, and variations from original work plans.

3. To assess the impact of delayed transportation projects on public mobility.

– This objective looks at how commuters are affected—whether through increased travel time, reduced
service quality, or safety issues.

4. To evaluate the economic implications of procurement delays in the transportation sector.

– It involves analyzing both direct (e.g., financial losses) and indirect (e.g., lost productivity) impacts on
the broader economy.

5. To propose strategies to mitigate procurement delays in future transportation projects.

– This objective will develop recommendations such as policy reforms, capacity building, digital tools,
and contract management practices.

Research Questions

1. What are the main causes of procurement delays in transportation projects?

– This question explores internal and external factors such as miscommunication, bureaucracy,
corruption, and legal issues.

2. How do procurement delays influence the overall timeline and budget of transportation projects?

– It aims to quantify project delays in months or years and how much over budget they go.

3. In what ways do these delays affect the daily mobility of the public?

– Includes analyzing commuter experiences, route availability, and service interruptions.

4. What are the broader economic consequences of delays in transportation infrastructure delivery?

– This could involve case studies or economic models showing reduced GDP growth, investment losses,
or job impacts.

5. What strategies can be implemented to reduce procurement delays and improve project delivery?

– Encompasses both long-term reforms and short-term interventions.

Significance of the Study

This study is essential for improving national and regional development outcomes. First, it helps
government agencies identify weak points in their procurement systems and take corrective action.
Second, it assists development partners and donors in understanding the risks associated with
procurement delays. Third, contractors and suppliers can benefit by gaining insight into how public-
sector inefficiencies affect their performance and revenue.

Moreover, the academic community can use this study as a foundation for future research, particularly
in emerging fields like e-procurement and sustainable infrastructure development. Citizens and
advocacy groups also gain from greater transparency and accountability in how infrastructure projects
are delivered.

Scope of the Study

This study focuses primarily on public transportation projects, such as roads, highways, and urban
transit systems, financed by government funds or development loans. Private-sector-led or purely
commercial projects are not the main focus, although lessons from them may be referenced. The study
will look at each stage of the procurement lifecycle—from needs assessment, bid preparation, and
tendering, to contract awarding and project execution.

The geographic scope may center on a specific country (e.g., Nigeria, Philippines, Kenya) or region
depending on data availability, and the analysis will draw from case studies, interviews, and
procurement reports from the last 5 to 10 years to ensure relevance. Any suggested solutions will be
realistic and applicable within the identified context, considering regulatory environments and
institutional capacities.

References:

Ahiaga-Dagbui, D. D., & Smith, S. D. (2014). Rethinking construction cost overruns: Cognition, learning
and estimation. Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction, 19(1), 38–54.

World Bank. (2020). Procurement in Public Infrastructure Projects: Key Challenges and Reforms.
Washington, DC: World Bank Publications.
Love, P. E. D., Sing, C. P., Wang, X., Irani, Z., & Thwala, W. D. (2013). Overruns in transportation
infrastructure projects. Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, 9(11), 1096–1110.

Osei-Kyei, R., & Chan, A. P. C. (2017). Implementation constraints in public-private partnership

transportation projects: Comparing global perspectives. Cities, 60, 114–121.

Laryea, S. (2011). Quality of tender documents: Case studies from the UK. Construction Management
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