Facility managers want law on maintenance culture

The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) has asked Nigerians to pay attention to maintenance and canvassed a law to enforce the culture.

Different speakers at the 2015 edition of facility management award dinner organised by the Nigerian chapter of IFMA made the appeal at the event, which held in Lagos on Friday.

They urged facility managers to canvass a legislation that would compel public and private institutions as well as individuals to embrace maintenance culture.

Ituah Ighodalo, pastor of Trinity House and one of the speakers, said Nigeria deserves a well-maintained environment.

Ighodalo said the legislation would demand that qualified professionals would be tasked with the responsibilities of facility maintenance.

“Everybody that is involved in facility management should compulsorily go through this association and qualify to be a facility manager so that it will save us from the harassment and the trouble of all manner of people who just wake up and say they are facility managers,” he said.

In his presentation, Femi Akintunde, managing director, Alpha Mead Facilities Management, said Nigeria would not be developed to the expected level if it continued to build structures without paying attention to maintenance.

“We must give consideration to the life cycle of those facilities, otherwise the money we spend will not translate to real value,” he said.

On his part, Richard Okesola, president of IFMA in Nigeria, said members of the association were ready to offer their unique skills and expertise and help to redirect the country’s path towards economic recovery.

“Our services are inevitable in the pursuance of this desirable goal,” he said.

Awards were presented in 15 categories.

Bella Vista Towers in Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, won best managed residential facility; Bank of Industry, Abuja, got the best managed office facility; best managed industrial facility went to Nigerite Plc, Ikeja; and Spar Lekki, got best managed retail facility.

Oriental Hotel, Lekki, had best managed hospitality facility; Eko Conventional Centre, Victoria Island, was honoured with best manager events facility; best managed healthcare facility went to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja; and Corona School, Victoria Island, got best managed educational facility and corporate membership award went to Zebrapath Technical Resources Limited.

The others were: best facility management partner, which was given to Provast Limited; and best public stakeholder to Lagos State Infrastructure Asset Management Agency.

Tayo Oyelaja was awarded best individual of IFMA Nigeria; IFMA Nigeria Honours went to Jon Martens and best graduating master’s student and media partner was given to Tolulope Olaleye of Leap Communications.

An affiliate of IFMA worldwide with headquarters in Houston, United States, IFMA Nigeria is a not-for-profit association incorporated in 1997.

IFMA is the world’s largest and most widely recognised international association for professional facility managers, supporting more than 22,655 members in 78 countries. Moro advises Ortom to render account of Benue finances.