ASSESSING THE INFLUENCE OF MAINTENANCE PRACTICES ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS IN AKWA IBOM STATE
ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to assess the influence of maintenance practices on public building in Akwa Ibom State. The study adopted the survey research design. In determining the population of the study, the researcher selected the entire Akwa Ibom State. The random sampling method was adopted in determining the sample size. A total of 155 questionnaire were randomly administered to the respondents and were all validated. Data gather were analyzed using simple percentages while the mean score was used to analyzed the research questions. The result of the findings shows that; The factors inhibiting maintenance practices on public building in Akwa Ibom State are Corruption among stakeholders, Lack of policy that favours public building maintenance, Lack of fund and Inadequate Planning. Furthermore, Early decay of the building, Harbor health hazards, Increases cost of emergency repairs, Loss of Functionality and Reduction in the value of the building are the influence of poor maintenance practice on public building. In addition, the possible ways for improving maintenance practices on public building are that; Investing in Technology and Tools, Engaging in Regular Inspections, Prioritizing Safety, Allocation Sufficient Budget and a standalone policy/law should be provided for the maintenance of public building. Thus, it is recommended that there is need for purpose-driven preventive maintenance culture and underpinning plans/policies as part of a holistic integrated infrastructure delivery process.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page – – – – – – – – – i
Certification – – – – – – – – ii
Dedication – – – – – – – – – iii
Acknowledgments – – – – – – – – iv
Abstract – – – – – – – – – v
Table of Content – – – – – – – – vi
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study – – – – – 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem – – – – – 3
1.3 Aim of the Study – – – – – – – 4
1.4 Objectives of the Study – – – – – – 4
1.5 Research Questions – – – – – – – 5
1.6 Justification of the Study – – – – – 5
1.7 Scope of the Study – – – – – – – 6
1.8 Definition of Terms – – – – – – – 6
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 Conceptual Framework – – – – – – 7
2.1.1 Concept of Maintenance – – – – – – 7
2.1.2 Types of Maintenance – – – – – – – 8
2.1.3 Maintenance Efforts in Akwa Ibom State – – – – 9
2.1.4 Challenges to Building Maintenance in Akwa Ibom State – – 10
2.1.5 Influence of Poor Building Maintenance – – – – 14
2.1.6 Ways of Improving Maintenance Practices in Public Building – 17
2.2 Theoretical Framework – – – – – – 19
2.3 Conceptual Framework – – – – – – 20
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction – – – – – – – – 22
3.2 Research Design – – – – – – – 22
3.3 Study Area – – – – – – – – 22
3.4 Population – – – – – – – – 23
3.5 Sample Size/Sample Frame – – – – – – 23
3.6 Sample Size Selection Technique and Procedure – – 24
3.7 Research Instrument and Administration – – – – 25
3.8 Method of Data Collection – – – – – – 25
3.9 Data Analysis – – – – – – – 25
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Data Presentation and Analysis – – – – – 27
4.2 Analysis of Research Questions – – – – – 30
4.3 Discussion of Findings – – – – – – 33
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary of Findings – – – – – – – 35
5.2 Conclusions – – – – – – – 35
5.3 Recommendations – – – – – – 36
References
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
The Advanced Learners Dictionary defines maintenance as the process of protecting or preserving someone or something, or the process of keeping something in good condition. Mbamali (2003) added that poor maintenance culture has become a widely recognized problem in Nigeria which has poorly affected the quality of public properties.
Maintenance culture in Nigeria is one of the lowest around the world, especially, in our principal towns and cities where the majority of public properties are located. In the rural areas, the story is different and pleasant to hear. The traditional practice of communal clearing of community owned places such as market playground is in almost every village and in private homes. Also, it is customary to refurbish building interiors with mixtures of cow dung or natural red clay. The end result is attractive and totally indigenous. According to Omotehinshe, Dabara and Guyimu (2015) the nation accords low priority to property management leading to neglect of public properties. Mbamali (2003) asserted that we have no maintenance policy and therefore no such culture exists.
Neglect of maintenance has accumulated consequences in rapid increase in the deterioration of the fabric and finishes of a building, accompanied by a harmful effect on the contents occupants (Eti, Ogoji, & Probert, 2006). Inadequate maintenance culture is a peculiar feature of almost every public building in Nigeria. According to Nahimah (2008) is partly due to poor maintenance culture on one hand and partly due to the absence of an appropriate benchmark. Ankeli et al. (2015) asserted that lack of proper maintenance culture bring the life of these public building last before reaching the total obsolescence state. The declining maintenance culture in Nigeria and its effect on public buildings and all other properties has become a major problem to the government at various levels.
A great portion of a nation wealth is evident in the total value of its public properties and buildings; it is also an important factor in the production of the building to be preserved. A poorly maintained building in a decaying environment depresses the quality of live and contributes in some measures to anti social behaviour which threatens the socio” political environment it finds itself in (Ajibola, 2009).
According to Stephen (2002) public building services rarely perform as well as desired. The causes emanate from deficiencies in design, construction, commissioning and maintenance, many researchers have also observed that the generators of maintenance problems could be looked upon has caused during the design stage or construction stage or initiated during the usage stage or the user’s carefree attitudes (Bad maintenance culture) which will eventually deteriorate the condition of the property.
He further added that all these could be planned for during the design stage. Maintenance problems though do manifest during the use of the building, their causes might be during the design stage. These made Dekker (2002) to assert that thinking on the maintenance should start in the design phase. According to Speight (2000), it is at the design stage that the maintenance burden can be positively influenced for better or for worse. Where the designer fails to make adequate consideration for minimizing maintenance problems, it always turns out to be a big problem when the building is eventually occupied for usage, the consideration for effective maintenance as one of the parameters for the building design. Eti, Ogoji, & Probert (2006) also said that a skillful design can reduce the amount of maintenance work and also make it easier to perform, since good maintenance begins on the drawing board.
The need for maintenance of public building is prevalent in Nigeria because of complex nature of design of the building which are finally erected without considering the needs of maintenance at the design stage. Owners are usually concerned with the aesthetic nature of the design and the building appearance without considering the buildability and maintainability of the building. Some of the main cause of maintenance problems are; new material and construction techniques, poor workmanship, poor placement of materials, poor materials been used, poor supervision of construction work, lack of quality control and monitoring
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
It is often said that building defects starts on the drawing board. Design deficiencies could result in the building disaster if adequate attention is not given to the design of the bearing support, calculations, errors, deformation, shrinkage problems, errors in assumed loading (wind force), all these could contribute to building failure and disaster in Nigeria work and also make it easier to perform, since good maintenance begins on the drawing board, therefore some of the problems are as follows; Inadequate architectural design, Inadequate structural, electrical and mechanical design, New material and construction techniques, Lack of quality control and monitoring, Poor workmanship, poor placement of materials and poor supervision of construction work, Use of defective materials, Lack of routine or preventive maintenance department and lack of maintenance manual and so on.
Akwa Ibom State as a case study, the prevalent maintenance problems in public building include leaking roof, rot in roof timber, damages to internal plaster and decoration, possible damage to contains and effect on health of occupants, damages to ceiling board, flaking of wall paints, creaking of walls etc all these are the likely maintenance problems in Nigerian by extension.
Maintenance culture is an attitude that is lacking in Nigeria. Poor maintenance culture has become a widely recognized problem in Nigeria which has adversely affected the quality of public buildings. Most public infrastructure in Nigeria, are in deplorable state, ranging from roads, schools, hospitals, libraries amongst others (Alsyouf, 2004). The deplorable state of public infrastructure in Nigeria makes it imperative for proper and routine maintenance to be carried out in order to save our infrastructure from total collapse, and to ensure the continuous functioning and use of public infrastructure.
1.3 AIM OF THE STUDY
The aim of this study is to assess the influence of maintenance practices on public building in Akwa Ibom State.
1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The following are the objectives of this study:
- To identify factors inhibiting maintenance practices on public building in Akwa Ibom State.
- To examine the influence of poor maintenance practices on public buildings in Akwa Ibom State.
- To determine ways of improving maintenance practices on public buildings within the study area.
1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
- What are the factors inhibiting maintenance practices on public buildings in Akwa Ibom State?
- What are the influence of poor maintenance practices on public buildings within the study area?
- What are the possible ways of improving maintenance practices on buildings in Akwa Ibom State?
1.6 JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY
This research will contribute to knowledge and theory of sustainable maintenance of infrastructure. It will also reveal the factors that inhibit maintenance practices on public buildings as well as ways of improving maintenance practices. This research will also assist authorities of public institutions in Nigeria to know the current state of their structures as well as the influence of this poor maintenance practices on the public building and dangers of using deteriorated and badly damaged facilities. The importance of maintaining good health and safety in relation to good building maintenance practices will also be captured in this research work.
1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This study is focus on assessing the influence of maintenance practices on public building in Akwa Ibom State.
This study will examine selected public buildings such as government higher institutions, local government councils, ministry of works and government development centers in Ikot Ekpene Local Government in particular since the study will not be able to cover the whole building buildings in the state as such Ikot Ekpene will be used as a representative sample for the study.
1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Maintenance Practice: This is the combination of any action carried out to retain an item or restore it to an acceptable condition.
Public: Open to all members of a community, especially provided by national or local authorities and supported by money from taxes.
Public building: Public building are buildings provided by the government for public use.
Assessment: the action of assessing someone or something.
Influence: The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behaviour of someone or something, or the effect itself.
