Maintenance of the Federal Secretariat Complex Minna, Niger State: A Post Occupancy Evaluation Approach

Abstract

Government office buildings in Nigeria are generally faced with premature but steady and rapid deterioration, decay and dilapidation due to lack of maintenance. This study evaluates the main factors responsible for the poor maintenance of the Federal Secretariat Office Complex, Minna, Nigeria using a post-occupancy evaluation approach. The study determines the extent of dilapidation of the office building and the feelings of the users about their office environment. The most frequently recurring maintenance problems are ascertained. By using occupants as a benchmark in evaluation, this paper discusses research with the broad aim of developing a general guideline for the POE practice, specifically for government and public buildings in Nigeria. The research method used was a combination of the descriptive and analytical survey methods. A total of 20 structured questionnaires comprising were administered to the users of the office building. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Some of the findings of the study are that the major contributors to the maintenance problems in government office buildings in Nigeria are natural deterioration due to age, environmental effects and misuse by occupants.  Funding for maintenance was found to be grossly inadequate. The most frequently recurring maintenance problems in the office buildings are plumbing and roof leakages. Post-occupancy evaluation (POE) of buildings is vitally needed to ensure that building performance of government and public buildings and facilities is sustained. The study recommends POE as an effective, relevant and beneficial tool to be used by the public sector in evaluating the performance of government and public buildings in Nigeria.

Keywords: Government Office Building, Post Occupancy Evaluation, Maintenance,