The Managing Director of Atlas Proligenics Limited, Engr. Babajide Soyode, has joined other experts in facilities Management to call for political will to maintain existing infrastructures in the country.
He was speaking during a public lecture organized by the Nigerian Institution of Facilities Engineering and Management (NIFEngM).
Addressing the theme, “Implementation of the National Infrastructure Maintenance Policy: The Dynamics, Prospects, and Challenges,” Soyode painted a stark picture of Nigeria’s deteriorating infrastructure and called for urgent, comprehensive action.
Soyode lamented the widespread neglect of infrastructure maintenance across the country, stating, “Nigeria’s infrastructures are not all being maintained… the limited infrastructures across the country are shutting down due to lack of maintenance.”
He said that “the nation must maintain what it has before building new ones,” advocating for a paradigm shift in how Nigeria approaches infrastructure management.
He outlined the “Elements of Sustainable National Infrastructure Maintenance Policy,” stressing the need for early anticipation of life-cycle maintenance requirements during the design phase. He also highlighted the importance of incorporating maintenance ancillaries during construction and establishing clear ownership with lifetime maintenance responsibility.
Soyode further emphasized the necessity of regular scheduled inspections, testing, and maintenance, as well as periodic overhauls and training for operators and technicians. He advocated for “intrinsic funding of operational, maintenance, inspection and testing expenses,” suggesting that national infrastructure should be self-funding.
He called for “administrative organization restructuring for effective policy implementation,” proposing strategically dispersed regional offices to supervise operations, maintenance, inspection, and testing.
He also urged the government to “review, update, and upgrade all extant regulations relevant to specific national infrastructure including mandates for operation, maintenance, inspection and testing,” and to introduce “adequate and appropriate penalties for any failure to respect the mandates.”
The importance of political will was a recurring theme throughout the lecture. Experts who spoke at the panel session emphasized the need for an integrated approach to infrastructure, involving end-users in planning and design.
Adekunle Olayinka, Special Adviser to the Lagos Governor, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need to “deliberately improve existing assets to improve on maintenance and management in a way that would preserve the quality of individual infrastructure assets.”
Engr. Margaret Oguntala, President of the NSE, represented by Engr Tosin Ogunmola, emphasized the crucial role of infrastructure maintenance in societal development, urging leaders to focus not only on infrastructure deficits but also on the sustainability of existing assets.
Earlier, Engr. Oladipupo Isiaka Mabogaje, National Chairman of NIFEngM, in his welcome address stressed the importance of the National Infrastructure Maintenance Policy. “The policy is not just a mere document; it embodies our commitment to ensuring the longevity, safety, and efficiency of our national infrastructural network system,” he stated.
Mabogaje acknowledged the multifaceted challenges facing infrastructure maintenance, from budgetary constraints to technological advancements and climate change. He also highlighted the opportunities for innovation and collaboration, stating, “By harnessing these prospects, we can pave the way for a more resilient, sustainable, and prosperous future.”
He concluded by emphasizing the importance of dialogue and collaboration in addressing these challenges, stating, “Nevertheless, it is through forums like today’s public lecture that we can confront these challenges head-on, engage in meaningful dialogue, and chart a course forward that ensures the effective implementation of the National Infrastructure Maintenance Policy.”