MAINTENANCE OF URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE IN ILESA, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

.The study examined the maintenance of urban infrastructure in Ilesa, Osun State. It assessed the effectiveness of the maintenance strategies employed, identified the characteristics of the urban infrastructures, determined the present conditions of these infrastructures and evaluated the constraints involved in the maintenance of these infrastructures with a view to proffer suitable maintenance culture that will prolong the useful life span of the infrastructures. Ilesha city is one of the largest towns in Osun State that requires infrastructural facilities that effectively function and have greater impact on the livelihood of the beneficiaries. Findings revealed that transportation routes, electricity, water supply, health care facilities and Educational Institution are some of the infrastructural facilities provided in the study area. Results showed that preventive, corrective, monitoring and evaluating are among the maintenance strategies in the area. Among the challenges involved in urban infrastructure within the study area include: corrupt practices by officials and even project implementers, inadequate funding and lateness or non-challant attitude in responding to facility breakdown. The study recommended that government should adopt a well articulated maintenance culture and set aside annual budgets that can effectively cater for the maintenance of the provided urban infrastructure in Ilesa.