ASSESSMENT OF ROAD MAINTENANCE PRACTICES IMPLEMENTED BY THE ETHIOPIAN ROADS ADMINISTRATION IN NEKEMTE DISTRICT

In Ethiopia, Road maintenance practices play a vital role in ensuring the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of transportation networks. Despite the Ethiopian Roads Authority's (ERA) efforts to implement road maintenance practices in the Nekemte District, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the public perception and satisfaction level with these practices. This study assesses the road maintenance practices implemented by the Ethiopian Roads Administration (ERA) in Nekemte District, a Data were collected through field observations, interviews with key stakeholders, and review of relevant documents, including ERA's maintenance plans, reports, and policies. The findings reveal that while there are systematic efforts to maintain roads in Nekemte, challenges such as inadequate funding, lack of skilled manpower, and insufficient equipment have hindered optimal maintenance performance. Additionally, the study identifies gaps in community involvement and coordination between local authorities and ERA. The research further explores the impact of these challenges on the overall road quality and transportation services in the district. Based on the analysis, recommendations are provided to improve road maintenance practices, including enhancing capacity-building initiatives, securing consistent funding, and promoting a more integrated approach to road maintenance between federal and local authorities. The study underscores the importance of adopting sustainable and context specific maintenance strategies to ensure the long-term viability of Ethiopia’s road network, especially in districts like Nekemte that are crucial for regional connectivity. Keywords: Road maintenance practice, Public Awareness, Ethiopian Roads Administration, Nekemte District,