IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF FACILITY MAINTENANCE COSTS ON THE SUSTAINABILITY OF BUILT ENVIRONMENTS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper provided empirical evidence on the implication of trends in maintenance costs for sustainable building preservation efforts. Specific objectives of the paper were the creation and comparison of annually updated indices for (a) selected components of maintenance costs, (b) inflation levels, and (c) annual salary for academic staff of professorial rank. The findings of this paper were limited by the use of the HATISS salary scale (basic emoluments only) as a proxy for the actual take home pay. This paper adds to existing building assessment methodologies by taking into account the implied sustainability of maintenance, given the incomes of tenants. The findings of the paper include that costs of maintaining a standard two bedroom bungalow building were in excess of the basic salary earned by a government employed worker of professorial rank. The least maintenance cost recorded was 63% higher than the highest earning of such worker. The paper thus recommended the opening up of easily accessed lines of credit for maintenance purposes built into mortgage loan packages. To ensure that proper effect is given to such strategies, a National Policy on Maintenance of Buildings and Infrastructure could be established independent of the existing policies on Construction and Housing.