FIC Report (Edo State) – The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has emphasized the need for a strong maintenance culture to preserve the quality of public infrastructure and sustain the assets for future generations.
The governor made the call in commemoration of the World Facility Management Day, celebrated yearly by Global FM, a worldwide alliance of member-centered facilities management organizations.
According to the Governor this year’s theme, ‘celebrating our environment and continuing; focus on sustainability’ is relevant and suitable, adding  that with the abundance of critical infrastructure developed with public resources, it is proper to ensure their efficient management so that citizens can derive optimal value from government’s assets.
He noted that there is a necessity to improve quality in the delivery, performance and maintenance of assets to raise standards within the built environment and facility management industry. The Governor further stated that he has approved the creation of an Agency that will be responsible for the management and maintenance of the vast portfolio of assets owned or controlled by the state government.
Some of the key projects in the state to be managed by the Agency include the newly rebuilt Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, blocks C & D of the secretariat complex, new High Court complex, Multi-purpose hall at the Government House, to mention a few.
Governor also pointed out that the legal framework has been drafted, and while awaiting the passage of the bill into law by the State House of Assembly, his administration through an Executive Order, set up the Edo State Infrastructure Asset Management Office (EDSIAMO) as a forerunner to enable the commencement of operations to meet the target date for operational go-live.
He said the labour-intensive office will enable the convergence of several disciplines including maintenance, project management, finance, data management, information technology and engineering.
KEN ONWORDI
F.I.C BENIN
