The impact of maintenance culture in construction in public institutions in Ghana (a case study of selected institutions in Saboba district of Northern region)

Abstract

Buildings are great assets to individuals and the nation and can be regarded as an economic asset, which must be maintained to ensure higher value. This study assessed the impact of maintenance culture in constructions or buildings of public institutions in Ghana, a case study of selected institutions in the Saboba District of Northern Region. Questionnaires, interview schedule and observation were for data collection. The analysis of the respondents’ responses was done researcher through combine method system. The total population of 150 respondents were used for the study and was sampled as follows: Staff of St. Joseph’ Technical Institute (SABTECH) 45, students of SABTECH 65, Workers of Saboba Medical Centre/Ghana Health Service 23 and Workers of Saboba District Assembly 17. Random sampling technique was used to sample out 150 respondents from Workers of Saboba Medical Centre/Ghana Health Service, workers of Saboba District Assembly and Students as well as staff of SABTECH, who were administered with questionnaires personally by the researcher. Interview was conducted on managers, maintenance officers and other stake holders and observation made on services and building components of the institutions to gather data for the study The objectives of the study were to; identify the maintenance deficiencies of public buildings and the causes of poor maintenance, and to assess appropriate maintenance culture of public institutions. The study revealed that; fire outbreak, rainstorm and irregular maintenance practices were the major causes of damage of public buildings. It was also revealed that most of the buildings had exposed and hanging foundations, broken walls, cracks on floor screeds and most of the buildings had faded paintings whilst some building roofs were partly ripped off with semi functioning or faulty electrical/water fittings. The study also revealed that most maintenance departments do not undertake regular inspections of buildings, do not have maintenance budgets and also do not have laid down maintenance plans coupled with the tepid attitude of staff towards maintenance request made by occupants. The study further shows that, most institutions do not have annual maintenance schedules due to financial constraints. The study recommends that maintenance departments should be well resourced to undertake regular inspection for prompt maintenance, accept maintenance request from occupants and finally government should make funds available for maintenance of public buildings of District Assemblies and Saboba District in particular for workers to stay peacefully in order to discharge their duties.