An evaluation of Cost Performance of Public Projects in the Free State Province of South Africa

Published ArticleThe primary objective of this study is to identify major cuases of construction cost overruns in the Free State Province of South Africa in order to propose effective control measures. The study is based on a review of related literature and a subsequent field work. The survey investigated the factors that have significant effects on cost overruns, especially in the public sector, during the three major phases of a construction project life cycle. Results indicate that the most severe cost overruns causes are inadequate project planning, delays in issuing information to contractors and poor workmanship in term of quality. And the best remedial measures were adequate pre-contract planning, proper implementation, timely resolution of disputes and being quality focus. The level of performance revealed 60% of the projects deviated from the agreed project costs. Practical implication of the findings is that stakeholders need to carefully take into account the factors that influence cost overruns in each stage of the life cycle of the projects that they undertake in the province

Herramientas de comunicación en los trabajadores de la empresa prestadora de servicios de la provincia de Barranca 2019

La EPS Barranca, es una empresa autónoma con personería jurídica que otorga los servicios de saneamiento en la Provincia de Barranca y Distrito de Supe Pueblo. La investigación está orientada a fomentar un buen funcionamiento y desempeño laboral a través del uso de las herramientas de comunicación. El objetivo general fue describir cuales son las herramientas de comunicación en los colaboradores de la Empresa Prestadora de Servicios Barranca, lo que respecta a los específicos son: Conocer cómo es la comunicación ascendente que se aplica en los colaboradores de la Empresa Prestadora de Servicios Barranca, 2019; Conocer como es la comunicación descendente que se aplica en los trabajadores de la Empresa Prestadora de Servicios Barranca, 2019; Conocer como es la comunicación horizontal que se aplica en los colaboradores de la Empresa Prestadora de Servicios Barranca, 2019. Concerniente a la metodología para la optención de información se empleó una encuesta realizada a una muestra de 45 colaboradores distribuidos en las diferentes jefaturas que integra la organización. Los Resultados muestran que el 60% de los colaboradores no implementan en su horario laboral las herramientas de comunicación interna. Concluyendo que no existe un clima laboral adecuado, generando conflictos y evitando que se cumplan las metas de la empres

Menstrual hygiene management practices among primary school girls from a pastoralist community in Kenya: a cross sectional survey

Introduction: pubescent girls from developing countries are confronted with diverse menstrual hygiene management (MHM) challenges, especially at school. Girls from rural pastoralist communities experience insurmountable MHM barriers. Inadequate coping strategies adopted result in sub-optimal school performance, absenteeism and physical problems. We conducted a study to assess MHM practices among primary school girls from a pastoralist community in Kenya. Methods: a cross sectional survey was done among primary school girls in Kajiado County, Kenya. Accent was sought. We administered structured questionnaires which sought information on socio-demographics, knowledge, perceptions and practices. Results: we enrolled 320 girls; with mean age of 14.9 years. Their parents were mostly (69.4%) self-employed pastoralists. Good menstruation knowledge was observed in 51.6%, while 45.5% reported diverse perceptions about menstruation. Majority, (80.9%) used sanitary towels as absorbents, but 40.3% delayed changing by > 6 hours. Poor MHM practices were documented in 28.8% and 32.2% kept the issue secret. Factors associated with poor MHM practices on univariable analysis were age (p=0.016), religion (p=0.037), non-discussions (p=0.001), lack of sanitary pads (p<0.0001), lack of latrine privacy (p=0.031), lack of water (p=0.001) and teasing by boys (p=0.016). On logistic regression, factors that independently influenced MHM practices were inadequate latrine privacy (p=0.031) and fear of teasing by boys (p=0.016). Conclusion: a third of pubescent pastoralist girls had poor MHM practices largely determined by inadequate latrine privacy and fear of teasing by boys

Quantity Surveying 3

Exam paper (Supplementary) for second semester National Diploma, Buildin