No doubt maintenance culture derives from one’s desire or personal intention and willingness to retain the functionality of a product, material or facility to retain and prolong its lifespan.
Over the years, a lot of governments be it national, state and at the local level have been plagued with the problem of poor maintenance culture of public facilities thereby leaving a lot of infrastructure to decay and rot as a result.
In Edo State, the story has changed as Governor Godwin Obaseki has raised the bar in the culture of public infrastructure maintenance by revamping a lot of public buildings in the state.
Since his assumption of office, in 2016, the Governor has been able to demonstrate vigour and class in public infrastructure maintenance. Through the mandate given to the office of the Edo State Public Building and Maintenance Agency ably led by Engineer Austin Osakue, Governor Obaseki has been able to build new structures, remodel old ones, and restore the functionality of the ones abandoned by previous administrations in the state. A very good example of this is the Edo State Secretariat complex. The Governor since assumption of office has taken his time to revamp the different blocks in the Secretariat-B, C, and D. Recently, ‘Block A, popularly known as “Palm House”, has also received the midas touch of Governor Obaseki.
These super-imposing edifices, according to records, were built by the Military Government of late Brig-Gen Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia (rtd.) to accommodate Ministries, departments and Agencies in the 70s.
Block ‘A’ (former Palm House), which has 11 floors and various offices, was occupied by civil servants in the state until the 9th and 10th floors were gutted by fire. After this incident, the building was left desolate for years.
The building has been given a facelift both in and out with the state-of-the-art facilities by Governor Obaseki and some ministries and agencies have started moving into the place to perform the state activities.
This culture of maintenance in the state cuts across all buildings owned by the state government. The Governor gives a holistic approach to maintenance culture by not concentrating on the physical aesthetics alone, but also ensures that these buildings are well equipped with assets for the comfort and productivity of both public and civil servants in the state.
The Public Building Maintenance Agency in its bid to key into Governor Obaseki’s culture to retain and sustain these structures and assets has engaged a maintenance team to oversee the task. The Agency has also adopted a pro-active rather than reactive maintenance approach to ensuring effectiveness of the assets.
Buildings that have been constructed, remodelled and restored in the state include:
College of Education Iguoriakhi; College of Education Abudu; College of Nursing Sciences Benin City; Benin Central Park Obakhavbaye; Edo State Pension Board (Ethiope House); Edo State Hospital Management Board; Sickle Cell Centre and Ogbe Nursing Home; Stella Obasanjo OPD and Admin. Blocks; State Sustainable Development Goals Building; Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium; Edo State Sports Facilities; Command and Control Centre, Benin City; Presidential Lodge; Court Of Appeal; Judges Quarters; Industrial Court; New High Court, Benin City; Edo State Investment promotion Office; Edo State Secretariat Complex; House of Assembly Complex; Daisy Danjuma Complex; The Nigerian Observer/Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub; Agricultural Hub at ADP; John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy; Legislative Quarters; Urhokpota Hall; Government House; Edo State Water Board; Bus Rapid Terminal; Education Hub Iyaro, Benn City; New Civil Service Club, and Immigration House Auchi, among others.
