Identification of maintenance culture approach for civil engineering structures in nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the maintenance culture approach adopted for monitoring civil engineering structures in Nigeria. Three research questions and hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The researcher adopted survey research design for the study. The population of the study consists of all office personnel in the ministry of works from the selected states and geopolitical zones in Nigeria. The sample size comprised of 100 respondents. A structured questionnaire was used as an instrument for data collection. Mean and standard deviation were used to analyze data in order to answer the research questions, while the t-test was used to test the hypothesis. The analysis revealed that inspection of civil engineering structures was done based on reports of dilapidation of structures from the society. It also indicated poor inspecting practice in the country. Also, there was strong existence of tussle of interest among politicians on maintenance of the civil engineering structures. Again, the flow of information from bottom to the top of the managerial cycle was slow which resulted to delay of the overall system process. In addition, the maintenance work was neither supervised well nor done well. The implication was a case of poor maintenance culture and inadequate management of the sector. The study recommended that, workshops and seminars should be organized to sensitize the office personnel on the need for adequate and regular inspection of civil engineering structures. Emphasis should be laid on the use of renowned and efficient maintenance culture approach. There should be a benchmarking practice for monitoring of civil engineering structures in Nigeria to ensure sustainability of the structures in particular, and the society in general.