The House of Representatives has received commendation from stakeholders in the construction industry for its proposal to establish the Nigerian Institute of Facilities Management.

This legislative initiative is geared towards promoting responsible care, maintenance, and management of building facilities in both the public and private sectors.

Sponsored by Hon Philip Agbese, representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, the bill also aims to provide professional training in the field of facility management.

Such professionals will play a crucial role in ensuring the preservation of the value and functionality of facilities over time, ultimately preventing deterioration.

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Paul Erubami, President of the Associations of Facilities Management Practitioners of Nigeria (AFMPN), commended the bill’s potential during a media address at the National Assembly in Abuja.

He highlighted the bill’s capacity to address issues related to building collapses and property value loss.

Erubami stressed the critical role of facility management in national infrastructure development and how the bill would integrate the concept of facility management into the entire process.

Erubami also emphasized the AFMPN’s role in training, equipping, and building the capacity of facilities managers across the country.

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The goal is to incorporate this expertise into both the public and private sectors of Nigeria’s leadership and public administration.

According to Erubami, the bill ensures that facilities are planned, designed, and delivered with facility management principles embedded within, ensuring their longevity and intended functionality.

He clarified the distinction between the Land Use Act and the Facilities Management Bill, with the former dealing with land ownership and transfer, while the latter focuses on the maintenance, care, and management of the buildings or infrastructure situated on the land.

Agbese, who is the Deputy Spokesperson of the House and the bill’s sponsor, reaffirmed the 10th Assembly’s dedication to enacting laws that improve the lives of Nigerians, underscoring the significance of housing for all.

He emphasized that the bill’s advantages extend to lawmakers, stakeholders, the entire Nigerian population, and himself. Agbese stressed that quality and safety are essential for all Nigerians, regardless of age, wealth, or status.

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Stakeholders, led by the President of the Institute of Global Facilities Management, Omachi Jonah, represent various professional bodies and associations within the construction sector, including the Associations of Facilities Management Practitioners of Nigeria, the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, the Nigerian Institute of Facilities Engineering and Management, the Nigerian Institution of Builders in Facilities Management, and the Institute of Global Facilities Management.

Their collaboration signifies a crucial step toward enhancing the standards of facility management in Nigeria.