Impact of use of force account mechanism for maintenance of roads in Nakasongola Town Council.

Abstract

Overtime road works in Local Governments were contracted out to service providers until June 2012 when agencies were allowed to use own equipment and personnel under Force Account arrangement. This report presents positive impact of using Force Account in maintenance of roads in the Local Government of Nakasongola Town Council that registered increase in unpaved road network from 34.8kms to 73.5kms over a period of eight years. This came with number of advantages that included reduced unit cost of road maintenance, provision of employment opportunities to residents along the road, enhanced internal skill capacity of staffs in various areas of construction. As result of proper maintenance, it is also expected that there will be reduced road user costs due to improved road condition hence reduced vehicle breakdowns; reduced travel time due to improved road condition; improved commercial activity along the road due to increased traffic along the road and easy access to the market; reduced road accidents due to improved road safety measures and reduced number of maternity cases. Therefore aadequate routine maintenance and a regular cycle of periodic maintenance are assumed to ensure the longer life of the road. The author felt it pertinent to dissemination best practice and share knowledge on the use of force account system that led to 59.5 % increase in the length of road network over period of eight years. The involvement in the project enhanced his capacity and knowledge in managing maintenance works both on paved and unpaved roads.