Evaluation of the Factors and Strategies for Water Infrastructure Project Delivery in South Africa

Ayodeji Olatunji Aiyetan,Dillip Kumar Das

doi:10.3390/infrastructures6050065

Ayodeji Olatunji Aiyetan, Dillip Kumar Das

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures6050065

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Abstract

Infrastructure project delivery, specifically the delivery of water infrastructure projects, is a serious challenge in South Africa. Therefore, using the study context of water utility agencies in South Africa, the objective of this study was to examine the challenges that emanate from poor delivery and factors that cause poor delivery of water infrastructure projects in South Africa. Furthermore, it evaluated the various strategies that could enable improvement in water infrastructure project delivery. A survey research method constituting data obtained on the perceptions of relevant stakeholders and ordinal regression modeling were used for conducting the study. Findings suggest that delay in project completion, cost overruns, poor quality of work, poor fund utilization, and poor service delivery are the major challenges of the poor delivery of projects. The major factors that cause such challenges are linked to four aspects of the infrastructure projects such as project management, organization and management, construction and construction management, and sociopolitical. Six-pronged strategic measures, which include capacity building, the appointment of competent and skilled professionals, structuring review and monitoring processes, enhancing collaboration and communication among stakeholders, enabling accountability and transparency, and adopting participative leadership, can assist efficient water infrastructure project delivery in South Africa.

Highlights

Infrastructure is considered as the backbone of a country or city to stimulate socioeconomic development
The availability of water is a crucial element for the sustainable development of society and communities; efficient delivery of water infrastructure projects becomes vital
It was argued that water utility agencies in South Africa, despite their efforts, are facing serious challenges of delivering water infrastructure projects efficiently and need strategic intervention to improve the situation

Summary

Introduction

Infrastructure is considered as the backbone of a country or city to stimulate socioeconomic development. Many developing countries including South Africa, China, India, Vietnam, and Thailand to name a few have been found to invest heavily in infrastructure to create or reinforce both the physical and digital infrastructure, in the last two decades. The focus of the creation of infrastructure includes roads, airports, seaports, rail, water, energy, housing, and information and communication technology that would enhance economic development and offer social benefits. In the context of South Africa, the country had invested heavily during the 1960s and. 1970s in various infrastructure sectors to create adequate and efficient infrastructure. The lack of adequate and efficient infrastructure in recent years has been considered a constraint for socioeconomic development in many parts of the country. Realizing the importance and linkage between infrastructure creation and economic development [1,2,3,4]

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