Expanding Labor-Based Methods for Road Works in Africa

Abstract

Using labor-based methods for road works has been an important part of the strategy to improve rural transport infrastructure in Africa over the past twenty-five years. These methods not only produce gravel roads of equal quality to those produced using equipment-based methods, but they also generate rural employment in a cost-effective manner. Although labor-based methods have proved to be a cost effective alternate to equipment based methods in many low-wage sub-Saharan African countries, these methods have not been applied on a large scale. The Rural Travel and Transport Programs (RTTP) has over the last two years examined experiences in Africa to identify why labor based programs have not been adopted on a large scale and to develop appropriate forms. Experience gained under the RTTP identifies two key reforms that are necessary to mainstream labor based programs, but which have not received the attention they require. These are improved financial management, to ensure that funds flow adequately and laborers are paid on time, and decentralization, to streamline payment procedures and strengthen stakeholders' support of these programs. These two reforms, together with government commitment, effective labor laws, appropriate design standards, and training, should facilitate the mainstreaming of labor-based programs in countries where such methods are feasible. While addressing these reforms, program designers can begin to establish a suitable delivery mechanism. This paper presents a number of models and assess them on the basis of payment delays to laborers, the time horizon for start-up and expansion, the government's performance risk, and long-run efficiency. The correct choice of delivery mechanism, together with the necessary reforms, can facilitate the expansion and sustainable use of labor based methods in the road sector.

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