AN EVALUATION OF THE MAINTENANCE OF URBAN INFRASTRUCTURES

ABSTRACT
This project “maintenance of urban infrastructures (a case study of Ilorin metropolis)” lays emphasis on the various Infrastructures such as Roads, Rail, Electricity, Water-Supply, Solid Waste Management Facilities, Drainage Facilities and Sewerage.

The various magnitude and the facilities provided were looked upon; the various defects and possible remedies to some specific infrastructures were also looked at.

The major data collection procedures were from the various infrastructural ministries in the city and participant/personal observations.

Data were collected based on the existing conditions, provisional services, facilities and magnitude of the infrastructures and the preference of maintenance activities carried out by most infrastructural agencies of which many are based on the stipulated activities of the agencies.

Conclusions were made on the fact that these infrastructures lack maintenance culture which has led to their deteriorations, while recommendations were suggested on the possible sustainable actions and activities for improvement in Ilorin and environs.

CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION /BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
The quality of a given environment is determined to a large extent by the availability of several forms of urban infrastructures and facilities which have been provided.

Therefore, the term Urban Infrastructures refer to structures, systems and facilities serving a country, city or area; including the service and facilities necessary for its economy to function.

Infrastructures typically characterize technical structures such as roads, bridges, tunnels, water supply, sewers, electrical grids, telecommunication, etc.

And as well can be defined as the physical components of interrelated systems providing commodities and services essential to enable, sustain, or enhance societal living condition, (Infrastructure – Wikipedia, 2016).
According to Abrams (1967), Urban Infrastructure refers to basic equipment, utilities, production enterprises, instruments and services which are provided essentially for the operation and growth of a city or nation.

This means that urban infrastructures are those facilities that aid productivity and directly ameliorate the quality of life of residents.
In view of the above, we can see that Urban Infrastructures comprise of such transportation facilities as roads, rail, bridges and airports; public utilities such as electricity, water, drainage systems and telephone services.

It also includes community services such as educational and health centers, recreational facilities and postal service among others.
Maintenance as it relates to Urban Infrastructure pre–supposes a calculated attempt to support, sustain or uphold the available facilities, (www.iiste.org).

It includes all efforts aimed at ensuring that the available infrastructural facilities are kept in a workable or acceptable condition or state for its present and intended use.
1.1 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
It has become increasingly apparent that a paradoxical situation is emerging with respect to Urban Infrastructures and their services in Nigeria.

On one hand, a huge demand for urban Infrastructures has resulted from rapid urbanization; on the other, existing infrastructures are falling into disrepair before completing their design life.

Operation and Maintenance has been identified by many as the key to enhancing the sustainability of the existing Urban Infrastructures.

However, there is a general lack of understanding by some people about the role of operation, maintenance and sustainability in the context of good governance and administration.

This therefore calls for the study of the maintenance operation of the Urban Infrastructures in Ilorin metropolis.
1.2 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The Aim of this project is to explore the constraints and prerequisite to effective operations, maintenance and Sustainability of Urban Infrastructures and services in Ilorin metropolis.
The objectives of the study are as follow:
1. To investigate the magnitude of urban Infrastructures in Ilorin metropolis;
2. To investigate the facilities provided for the urban infrastructures and their maintenance;
3. Also looks at the existing condition and the operational services of the existing urban Infrastructures;
4. To determine the sustainable ways of improvement.

1.3 JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY
The importance of this project is to study the effective ways and procedures of maintaining the Urban Infrastructures in Ilorin metropolis.

This implies that, under good maintenance culture, the Infrastructures should fulfill the design life of which they are intended; during the tender life of the structures, deterioration should not take place under any ill use, worst loading conditions, fatigue, weather or other conditions.

And also the deformation of the members of the infrastructures must not cause the structures to lose value from appearance, durability or the performance of the structures before completing their design life.

1.4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
Basically, the scope of this project is to study the operation, maintenance and sustainability of urban Infrastructures.

The Urban Infrastructures discussed in the study are Transportation facilities which include the Road and Rail Transportation systems; Public Utilities which include Electricity, water supply and solid waste management facilities; Drainage facilities and Sewerage.