Analysis of the factors affecting building maintenance in government residential estates in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

This paper is based on the factors affecting building maintenance in government residential estates in Akure, the capital city of Ondo State, Nigeria. The paper reviews the existing literature on building maintenance, types of maintenance, nature of maintenance, purpose of maintenance and causes of maintenance. The effects of poor building maintenance were also observed. It identified non-availability of funds, indiscipline and ignorance, bad economy, corruption, cultural beliefs, lack of maintenance culture, lack of skilled maintenance personnel, use of foreign building materials and unethical behaviour as some of the factors responsible for poor maintenance work. The study utilized a structured questionnaire, which was administered on the residents of three (3) different government owned estates in the city. Data analysis indicated that, maintenance is carried out whenever a fault is detected within the building. The study also revealed that majority of the population studied provides little or no fund at all for maintenance works. The paper in conclusion makes recommendations for improved maintenance culture and the need for proactive approaches to maintenance, which includes a maintenance manual to be strictly adhered to by all and sundry.