Facility managers seek support and concessions to deepen practice
The International Facilities Management (IFMA) Nigeria Chapter seeks support from international organizations in capacity building to ensure international exposure of practitioners and improve practice.
The Chairman of IFMA Nigeria Chapter, Mr. Olalekan Akinwumi, made this call during the visit of Ms. Lala Pemen, Managing Director of the global body covering Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) to Nigeria.
He explained that capacity building will expose IFMA members to further innovations, ideas and facility management strategies that can be deployed in facilities in Nigeria, especially during the government's Order 11.
He added that such training will help effectively manage public buildings and prevent the deterioration of landmark infrastructure across the country. He said, “If we have cross-border ideas about how facilities management is done abroad and how Nigeria can domesticate it.” This will enable effective facility management in Nigeria. ”
On the concession of membership, Mr. Akinwunmi said the concession granted to IFMA Nigeria would provide opportunities for members to belong not only to local bodies but also to international bodies.
He said the country's economic situation makes joining international organizations expensive. “We pay in foreign currency, but if you convert it into dollars, our members will be paying a huge amount of money. We appealed to them to reconsider that and give us special concessions.” he explained.
Mr. Akinwunmi reaffirmed IFMA Nigeria’s commitment to developing the necessary standards for benchmarking facility management. He revealed that the association will next month announce new standards to ensure effective training and eliminate an “all-comers problem” situation in FM practice.
“What this means is that people who are not adequately trained in facility management cannot call themselves facility managers. We also train other professionals who practice facility management. I encourage you to take it.
“For example, in the construction industry, facilities management is important to everyone and is where all the professionals come together, but the field still requires specialized training. Just because you're an engineer doesn't mean you can become a facilities manager, so You have to be trained in that aspect.
“Facilities management goes beyond engineering and involves people, equipment, and law. All of these things have to come together, and people have to be trained and have the basics to be called facility managers. ” He thanked Mr. Paimen for his visionary leadership and called for further support from the world body.
In response, Mr. Pemen emphasized the country's growing importance in the international facility management landscape, adding that the World Association would support efforts to further grow the chapter.
The IFMA Director-General used the occasion to announce plans aimed at encouraging student participation in World Workplace (WWP) events, with one student from Nigeria and two students from other African countries. A total of three African students were able to participate in the program.
Segun Adebayo, former President of IFMA Nigeria, also highlighted the achievements of the chapter over 27 years, noting that its collaborative efforts have brought value to the country, promoted the organization and strengthened its relationships with business and the public sector. He pointed out that it is possible to build and increase the number of members.
Mr Adebayo said the chapter works with various institutions such as the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board, the Lagos State Safety Commission and the University of Lagos to champion notable causes within the building industry. He said there was.
Source: guardian.ng