Developing Maintenance Management Supportive Framework as Measures for Effective Maintenance Management Practices in Selected Nigerian Universities

Abstract

Overtime buildings and its components would become obsolete. If the rate of building deterioration is not checked and managed, these buildings and its components will get to their ultimate functional life quicker while we contend with increasing user population. Maintenance management is an essential aspect of any university that must be given adequate attention if the university must achieve its academic goals. Policy guidance for maintenance activities and management control over maintenance program are the key provision of Maintenance management. This study develops a maintenance management supportive framework in selected Universities: Rivers State University, Imo State University and University of Uyo in Nigeria and how it serves as effective measures for maintenance management practices. The data used for the study was gotten from interview conducted on the directors of works and maintenance managers of the three selected university using structured interview method. 3 Directors of Works and 45maintenance managers in accordance with the 15 maintenance units found in each of the universities was used for the study. These university officials are responsible for the management and maintenance of tertiary institution’s buildings.For this study, the Content and thematic approaches were used in analyzing the data gathered from all interviews. The study revealed that there were intentionally designed existing plans and procedures for carrying out maintenance works, but found to be ineffective and inefficient, affecting the current condition of the tertiary institutions’ buildings. The study developed a maintenance management supportive framework to assist maintenance managers surmount complex maintenance task. Therefore, adopting this framework will give government directions on adequate funding based on needs, plan maintenance management strategy and building condition assessment to improve maintenance management practices in Nigerian Universities.