There is need for appropriate assets and facilities management plan in Lagos state, in order to protect both individual and state investment in infrastructure.
Considering the senses of sight and smell are assaulted daily in Lagos because of apparent decay in the environment because of the massive environmental degradation and multiple infrastructural developments taking place at the same time in the city.
To tackle this problem, specialists in the facility management sector, Eliezer Workplace Management, has prescribes the concept of ‘Ownership Culture’, as ownership does not only have to do with rights, liberties and powers, but it also carries with it corresponding burdens in the nature of duties, liabilities and disabilities which prescribe and regulates how an owner should utilize his property or infrastructure for his own benefit and also that of others.
This initiative, when effectively imbibed can lead to a healthier, lasting asset and a less environmentally degraded Lagos.
“To participate effectively and actively in management and maintenance of infrastructure, we need to take ownership of those in our communities,” Eliezer Workplace Management, a leading facility Management in Africa, said during a media briefing.
Chief Operating Officer Eliezer Workplace Management Limited, David Korede expressed the need for Nigerians to be passionate about public facilities, stressing that the people should have a change of mind in the area of maintenance culture. He went further by narrating on how the Lagos State government just acquired the National Stadium which was constructed in the 70s but finally neglected since year 2002 or thereabout.
Korede, while commending the effort of the Lagos State government towards the acquisition, urged members of the public to desist from destructive acts that could jeopardize the sterling move of the governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration.
The exponential growth of the population of Lagos State brings with it a unique challenge of inadequate infrastructure and a maintenance plan that is grossly insufficient for the sheer number of people who utilize these public infrastructure.
Large flocks of people migrate to Lagos on a daily basis in the hopes of getting opportunities and scarce white collar jobs.
According to statistics from Lagos State, an average of about 123,000 people migrates to Lagos every day.
If half that number truly migrates to Lagos every day then there is truly magnificent nightmare in terms of infrastructural sufficiency in relation to the population.
Considering these numbers, it is necessary therefore to have appropriate assets and facilities management plan in the state, as effectively managed facilities in line with modern ways of organising infrastructure maintenance. This will bring about the tendency for increase in life expectancy and sustainability of values.
A recent survey shows that adoption of ownership concept will have a positive effect on growth, economic stability and reduce cost of maintenance. Individual attitude, lack of proper maintenance culture has major influence on the present condition of the existing infrastructure.
Speaking further, Korede said, the idea of ‘Ownership Culture’ is encompassing; “It involves accepting responsibility, personal accountability, creativity and innovation especially using ownership judgment and making independent but learned decisions in promoting growth and development.
“This sounds simple and straightforward, but taking ownership actually has a cultural dimension. In some cultures, it is expected and often times rewarded when people take ownership of tasks while it is punished and ridiculed in some cultures,” Korede said.
In Nigeria, the culture does not support reward for independent and innovative thinking especially when the risks of failure are considered too high or when the consequences of failure may be too steep to bear.
This leads therefore to the premise of adopting ownership culture to management of Lagos State assets, infrastructure and environment.
The Lagos-based, leading facility management firm, Eliezer Workplace Management, introduced an initiative tagged “My Lagos, Our Lagos,” this was derived from finding a balance between policies that government can create, to how every day Lagos resident engages the policies and its interaction with the infrastructure and environment.
Knowing that only knowledgeable citizens make informed decision, Korede said: “The Company is committed to taking the practice of facilities management in Africa to international best practice through education, technology and information using Nigeria as a pilot. We hope to educate, enlighten and inspire the public with our periodic FM publications,” he said.
While giving the vote of thanks, Eliezer’s Executive Director, Mrs. Titi Alabi also prayed that Lagos would return to her old glory of public facilities’ maintenance. She urged the people of the state to be friendly with government properties which was constructed, purchased or provided for their own use.
All Lagos residents who work and reside in Lagos will eventually arrive at a crucial intersection, this initiative believes at some point, the residents of the state will turn right and buy-in to attitude of ownership management style regardless of status, tribe gender and ethnicity.
