THE IMPACT OF POOR MAINTENANCE CULTURE ON THE FULL UTILIZATION OF PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING IN NASARAWA TOWN

THE IMPACT OF POOR MAINTENANCE CULTURE ON THE FULL UTILIZATION OF PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING IN NASARAWA TOWN

ABSTRACT

The research titled “The Impact of Poor Maintenance on the full Utilization of Private Residential Building in Nasarawa Town” exposed the extent of non maintenance culture in Nigeria which has rendered many useful investments such as road network, buildings, plants, industries and other infrastructures useless to the extent of inability to support production capable of enhancing sustainable development. The aim of this research therefore is to examine the impact of poor maintenance culture on the full utilization of private residential building in Nasarawa town. The research adopt the use survey research design in the course of carrying out this research, data were sourced both from primary and secondary sources through the use of questionnaires and were analyzed using tables, simple percentage and descriptive statistical tool. It was obvious that inadequate fund provision, lack of efficient maintenance practice and poor quality of constructional materials have contributed to the decay of private residential building in the study area. On the basis of the obvious non maintenance culture, the authors articulated ways changes could be made, which includes, among others that in the award of contracts, there is the need to opt for quality and durable assets and/or infrastructure and yearly maintenance cost covering the life span of private assets / residential properties.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the Study

The definition of maintenance as in regard to building or residential building can be seen as in generic term to which include the planning maintenance, repairs and reimbursement and provision of replacement of the structure. The good of maintenance is to sustain the life of major asset whether building or infrastructure.

The British standard (BS 583) (1974) define maintenance as the combination of all technical and associated administrative actions intended to retain an interim or restore it to, a state in which it can perform its required function. The requirement for maintenance must not be less than those necessary to meet the relevant requirement and “maintained” is defined in factions act 1961 as “Maintained in an efficient state, inefficient working order, and in good repairs”.

Chartered institute of building (C.I.O.B) UK (1982) went forward to use this definition on maintenance works undertaken to keep, restore or improve every facility that is every part of the building. Its services and surrounding to agreed standards determined by the balance between need and available resources. Obiegbu (1998) also defined maintenance as a programmed transformation of a building fabric and services, reflecting changes on pattern of the use and the technology.

Maintenance culture is an attitude which is seen sadly lacking in Nigerian, whether in the home, office, school, or factory Mbamahi (2003) added that poor maintenance culture has become a widely recognised problem in Nigeria. Maintenance culture in Nigeria is the lowest around the world especially in our principal town aid cities. 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. In private homes it is customary to refurbish building interiors with mixtures of cow dung or natural red clay.

Faworaja (1996) in 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 (Seeley, 1987). Inadequate maintenance culture is a peculiar feature of almost every building in Nigeria. According to Rotimi and Mtallib (1995) is partly due to poor maintenance culture on one hand and partly due to the absence of an appropriate benchmark. Gurji (1990) asserted that lack of proper maintenance culture bring the life of a building lost before reclining the total obsolescence state. The declining maintenance culture in Nigeria and its effect on building has become a major problem to both the public and private sectors.

A great portion of a nation’s wealth is evident in the total value of its 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. This research is necessitated to look at the existing knowledge about continuous negligence on maintenance and its impact on construction as being suffered by residential buildings.

1.2       Statement of Problems

Building decay emanate from deficiencies in design, construction, commissioning, tenancy work and maintenance; many researchers have also observe that the generators of maintenance problems could be looked at under three main divisions: courses initiated during the design stage, courses initiated during the construction stage and courses initiated during the usage stage or the users carefree attitudes (bad maintenance culture). Maintenance problems though do manifest during the use of the building, their cause might be during the design state. These made Dekker (2002), Kelly (2002); Kachashkin (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 is in view of that the researcher deem it fit to assess  poor maintenance culture on the full utilization of private residential building in Nasarawa town.

1.3       Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of this research is to assess poor maintenance culture on the full utilization of private residential building in Nasarawa town.

To achieve this aim the following objectives shall be pursue:

1. To examine the effectiveness and efficiency of private building maintenance in the study area.
2. To assess poor maintenance culture on private residential building in study area.
3. To examine the problems associated with poor maintenance culture in the study area.
4. To proffer possible solution and recommendations.  

1.4       Research Questions

The following questions shall guide the researcher towards achieving the aim and objective of this research:

1. How effective and efficient is the private building maintenance in the study area?
   1. What are the impacts of poor maintenance culture on private residential building in study area?
   1. What are the problems associated with poor maintenance culture in the study area.
   1. What are the solutions to the poor maintenance culture on residential building in Nasarawa town?

1.5       Hypothesis

H0: There is no significance relationship between poor maintenance culture and private residential building.

H1: There is significant relationship between poor maintenance culture and private residential building.

1.6       Significance of the Study

This study is essential in the sense that it would not only contribute to the theory and knowledge but will also contribute to an effective maintenance on private residential property in Nigeria. This is because the study will attempt to find out the impact of poor maintenance culture on private residential property in Nasarawa town.

This research work would be of great significance and relevance as a source of information which will guide the private property developers, student of estate management, building technology, property managers as well as the government and its relevant agencies dealing with poor maintenance culture on residential property. it will also serve as a reference materials for researchers alike.

1.7       Scope and Limitations

This project work covers entirely the poor maintenance culture as in regard to private residential buildings. With requisite effect it ahs on private resident in Nasarawa town.

From the conception design, construction and post construction, the various problems being faced by property developers owners, users as regards to maintenance of private buildings. Much emphasis is placed on the aspect of maintenance work such as social and economic as well as scope management and its application on the scope of this project.

The limitation can be seen base on the effort that has been put to exhaust the scope atrementioned but time and cost constraint and some residents are so adamant in answering the question relative to the magnitude of maintenance problems are the major form of limitations for the total achievement of the project objective.

1.8       Definition of Operational Terms

Property: Dictionary.com defines property as that which a person owns; the possession or possessions of a particular owner.

Maintenance: According to business dictionary maintenance defined asactivities required or undertaken to conserve as nearly, and as long, as possible the original condition of an asset or resource while compensating for normal wear and tear.

Culture: According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary,  the beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular society, group, place, or time — culture in a sentence.

The Cambridge English Dictionary states that culture is “the way of life, especially the general customs and beliefs, of a particular group of people at a particular time.”

Poor: English oxford living dictionary define poor as lacking sufficient money to live at a standard considered comfortable or normal in a society.

Utilization: Utilization is the action of making practical and effective use of something.

1.9       Historical Background Of The Study Area

Nasarawa Local Government area of Nasarawa state was established in 1976 during the military regime under the leadership of general Mohammed Administration, the local government have thirteen 13 wards and it consist of six department which is responsible for carried out the activities personal social primary health care agriculture and natural resources. The state derived its name from the local government Nasarawa. The local head quarter is between latitude 7.8 degree east by Karu.

The also shared boundary with Benue state, Toto Local government area and federal capital territory, the local government have a population 187220 by the 2006 census through contest in the law court it has multi ethnic Afo, Agatu, Gwandara etc.