The President of, International Facility Management Association (IFMA), Nigeria chapter, Mr. Lekan Akinwunmi, has stressed the need to prioritise implementation of maintenance framework for infrastructure to make them last longer. He gave the charge at the 2023 inaugural induction ceremony, organised by the chapter, in Lagos.
The IFMA President said: “We cannot afford to spend billions of naira without a maintenance framework to sustain such a huge investment in our national life. The framework should be from local government to the state and the national levels.”
Akinwunmi encouraged the inductees to do their best in putting smiles on the faces of facility owners and occupants, noting that the association will assist in ensuring optimal performance of facilities.
“We shall continue to engage every quarter via our advocacy, to ensure facility management is part of our daily lives,” he said, even as he described the induction as significant, and indicative of step to standardisation of IFMA’s activities and control of members.”
He said: “It is the usual celebration of new entries to associations, as part of our quest for impact in our society. It is worthy to celebrate people who have put it upon themselves to embark on an unthankable journey. Many consider facility managers as spenders but fail to realise they are the ones spending the money. The facility manager thinks of a safe environment, functioning assets and equipment.
“We are showcasing you to the world as our ambassadors. I urge you to be good ambassadors indeed. Let the love of your profession be number one in your heart, and conduct this to your clients, employers, and by extension, the nation. “
Speaking on ‘Elevate, Empowering Facility Management Excellence’, the guest speaker/chairman, Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Lagos chapter, Mr. David Majekodunmi, said, to improve efficiency, there is need to digitalise and automate maintenance operations, communicate with internal teams and vendors, modernise facility maintenance with Internet of Things technology, manage risks and returns and digitised inventory management.
