Expert calls for constant training of facilities managers

Cross section of participants at the one day seminar

 By Oluwagbenga Bankole

One of the foremost facilities management experts who is also the head of facilities management department of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) ESV (Chief) P.C. Ozili has called for constant training of facilities managers, stating that this would bring out their best and stamp authority in facilities management practice in Nigeria.

He stated this while presenting a paper on the theme “Effective Facilities Management: Key to Assets Value Sustainability” at the recently held one-day Mandatory Continuing  Professional and Development s Seminar Organized by the Enugu State Branch of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers.

He also charged facilities mangers in the country to imbibe the spirit of team work, stating that it is only a self-fish professional that can lay claim to the mastery of all the skills required in facilities management.

Ozili said effective facilities management is challenging but in the present dispensation, it should be braved and embraced, adding that Formulation of facilities management policy/processes and working within the processes would bring about best practices in facilities management which results in effective facilities management.

“It is now obvious that effective facilities management enhances and sustains the assets values of an organisation; while poorly managed assets would be a liability to the organisation because its operations may be grounded. For you to succeed as facilities manager, you must imbibe the spirit of team work because it is only a self-fish professional that can lay claim to the mastery of all the skills required in facilities management,” he said.

He also said that though the Estate Surveyors and Valuers by their training and experiences are at vantage position to lead facilities management team, further training and re-training in facilities management would bring out their best and stamp authority in facilities management practice in Nigeria.

“Specialisation in the facilities management faculty of the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyor and Valuers (NIESV) backed by Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON) is recommended for mastery of the new profession that is gaining ground. Assets wastage would be no more if all of us imbibe assets and facilities maintenance culture and this will help our economy to grow. Our schools, hospitals, stadia, markets and other public places are decaying and it is only effective facilities management that would revise the trend,” he further stated.

He noted that facilities and assets being the soul of business organisation should be given desired attention in terms of their management.