Improving maintenance management within the local government sector in Ghana perspective of design consultants

Abstract

The value of public infrastructures have economic life span that can only be sustained through proper building pathology. Deterioration of infrastructure is inevitable as materials and components have finite life span. For this reason, regular attention is required to keep them in good state so that they can continue to perform their required functions and also sustain the level of utility and value derived from the facility. The aim of the study was to explore the maintenance practices of local government in the building standard of perspective of design consultants in Ghana. Quantitative research strategy was adopted through a descriptive survey research design to the target population of the study was consultant. A sample size of sixty four (64) were randomly selected. The findings suggest that a combination of planned maintenance are adopted in the maintenance process. The findings further revealed lapses in procedures for procurement of maintenance work. The lapses included, excessive bureaucracy, fraud and lack of critical evaluation of contractors at the prequalification and post qualification stage. Also, the findings of the study revealed that the key challenges to maintenance, included, lack of regular maintenance audit surveys, inadequate funds for maintenance works, poor maintenance culture as well as the aforementioned lapses in the process of maintenance works. Based on the findings, the study recommended that regular inspection programmer and planned approach to maintenance should be adopted by stakeholders including consultants in line with building standards in Ghana. Additionally, procurement of maintenance works in the public sector need to be regularly monitored by Public Procurement Authority (PPA) and more stringent internal audit system adopted.