Embedding Sustainable Facilities Management in the Management of Public Buildings in Nigeria

Abstract

The built environment accounts for a significant detrimental impact on the natural environment as a result of its substantial use of energy and carbon emissions. Based on their energy usage and carbon emission, the operational phase of buildings has the most injurious effect on the environment. This paper focuses on the property management aspect of facilities management (FM) and presents an analysis of property management in the UK and Nigeria with reference to sustainability. It addresses the need of integrating sustainable practices in the management of public buildings in Nigeria. The research methodology for this paper is based on information and data collated from literature and two structured questionnaires targeted at professionals and maintenance personnel in charge of the maintenance of public buildings in the UK and Nigeria. The primary findings of this paper reveal that as a result of no/poor maintenance strategies for maintaining public buildings, the average condition of public buildings in Nigeria is fair (on a scale 1 - poor to 5 - excellent). Also, the absence of regulations/legislations, sustainable policies, awareness, training of maintenance personnel, knowledge and senior management commitment are the most severe barriers to the implementation of sustainable facilities management (SFM) in the management of public buildings in Nigeria. Based on the findings, this paper recommends a framework for the implementation of sustainable practices in the management of public buildings in Nigeria.