Investigation of deplorable infrastructural building defects and maintenance methodologies for tertiary institutions in tropical rainforest climates in Southeastern Nigeria
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Building deterioration is attributed to inappropriate maintenance methodology, environmental hazards, unresponsive design concepts, incorrect material specifications, shabby construction, age, and human traffic. The right selection of maintenance tactics ensures the longevity of buildings in terms of structural and economic life. Southeastern Nigeria has witnessed a proliferation of public and private tertiary institutions, which should provide conducive environments for staff and students. Regrettably, these institutions have shown a high degree of building defects and deterioration, which makes them unattractive to citizens. The pilot survey suggested a disparity in maintenance management. The research evaluated maintenance strategies in 15 public and 13 private institutions to discover appropriate regional maintenance approaches. Data were collected via visitations, observations, interviews, and questionnaires. The interviews and questionnaires were administered to 600 professionals, principal officers, managerial heads, and contractors. Descriptive and quantitative statistical methods were applied for data analysis. The findings revealed that unplanned and corrective maintenance approaches in tropical rainforest climates aggravated critical defects compared with planned and preventive maintenance, which caused minimal defects. A lack of fully operational work departments, nonengagement of property managers, maintenance indifference, a decline in maintenance requests, inadequately skilled technicians, substandard materials, corruption, insufficient funds, and a lack of maintenance policy were variables that influenced the choice of maintenance tactics. The research recommended planned and preventive maintenance, supported by well-formulated policies, an adequate maintenance budget, a work department with experienced artisans, mandatory continuous staff development, the use of standard materials, and a five-year periodic post-occupancy evaluation. Background • The citadel of learning via public and private tertiary institutions in the tropical rainforest climates of southeastern Nigeria has been devastated by alarming building defects, most of which have metamorphosed from minor to critical conditions, risking the lives of staff and students. • There was a disparity in building defects between public and private institutions, suggesting different maintenance strategies and requiring appraisal to obtain feedback information, which should improve future developments. Methods • Data collection procedures such as visits to institutions, observations, interviews, and questionnaires were used and analyzed with descriptive and quantitative statistical methods. Results • There was a correlation between the building defects and maintenance tactics practiced by management, which either negatively or positively impacted the buildings. • The corrective (emergency maintenance, backlog maintenance/differed maintenance, reactive maintenance/breakdown maintenance) used in public institutions have severe consequences, such as value depreciation; underperformance; post-occupancy modification; high maintenance frequency; high maintenance cost; loss of interest in public institutions; maintenance delay; and safety risk, whereas, preventive (predictive maintenance, condition-based maintenance, reliability-centered maintenance, time-based maintenance) used by private institutions positively result in an extended lifecycle, cost savings, performance enhancement, minimized downtime and value sustainability. • The factors that influenced the maintenance tactics were funding, maintenance culture, and maintenance awareness. Recommendations • Planned, preventive maintenance strategies are recommended for tertiary institutions in the tropical rainforest climates of southeastern Nigeria.
Language: English
Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,590
OpenAlex ID: W4416095970