AN ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECT OF MAINTENANCE STRATEGIES ON THE FULL UTILIZATION OF HOTEL PROPERTY

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECT OF MAINTENANCE STRATEGIES ON THE FULL UTILIZATION OF HOTEL PROPERTY

 (A STUDY OF CHRIS PARK HOTEL MARARABA)

ABSTRACT

Building maintenance is a subject that has to be considered seriously if building is to live up to its expected life span. This research is aimed at Assessing the Effect of Maintenance Strategies on the Full Utilization of Hotel Property with particular interest in Chris Park Hotel Mararaba. The research adopts the use of questionnaire, personal observation and interview to gather information / data for the purpose of the research. A set of 60 questionnaires was designed and distributed to the staffs and customers of establishment while 47 were duly filled and returned, therefore the 47 returned questionnaires form the basis for data presentation and analysis. A descriptive statistical tool was used to analyse the data gathered to ascertain the effect of maintenance strategies on the full utilization of hotel property. Based on the analysis, it was found that the major cause of maintenance problem were poor construction, lack of preventive and routine maintenance strategies, lack of funds, response time to maintain and usage since these factor are of post of human nature, the researcher therefore recommend that the establishment should adopt routine and preventive maintenance strategies to enable her utilize to the full the hotel properties and also reduce the cost property management and maintenance. 

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the Study

Generally, hotels are complex and costly when it comes to maintenance with various uses of spaces that have different schedules and uses for guest rooms‟ restaurants, health club, swimming pool, retail store and each has a functional engineering system required for its maintenance. Maintenance therefore has to be done throughout the year, requiring competent staff to undertake building services, operation and maintenance, supplemented by outsourced contractors. (Chan et al 2001; 2003). In the hospitality industry the maintenance of the engineering systems is important despite its complex processes as its effectiveness will directly affect the quality of hotel service, food, and beverage which have direct and significant effect on guests‟ impression of the hotel. (Chan et al 2001).

The maintenance of buildings is an integral part of property development and management. Anyone putting up a building without making provisions for its maintenance has destroyed that building up front without realizing it (Jones & Eniola, 2016). Maintenance practice of strategy is an attitude which is seen sadly lacking in Nigerian, whether in the home, office, school, or factory. Mbamahi (2003) added that poor maintenance culture has become a widely recognised problem in Nigeria. Maintenance culture in Nigeria is the lowest around the world especially in our principal town and cities. In the rural areas, the story is different and pleasant to hear. The traditional practice of communal clearing of community owned places such as market; playground is in almost every village. In private homes it is customary to refurbish building interiors with mixtures of cow dung or natural red clay.

Strategic maintenance provides services that improve maintenance sufficiency, equipment reliability, and cost tracking. Strategic management is the comprehensive collection of ongoing activities and processes that organization use to systematically co-ordinate and align resources and actions with mission, vision, and strategy throughout an organization. Adebayo (1991) states in his postulation that maintenance manager should have the knowledge and skills necessary to make valid decisions about what to do and how; Strategic management activities transform the static plan into a system that provides strategic performance feedback to decision making and enable the plan to evolve and grow as requirement and other circumstances change. Strategic plan is a document used to communicate with the organization goals, the action needed to achieve those goals and all of the other critical element developed during the planning exercise.

Faworaja (1996) in Mbamali (2003) asserted that we have no maintenance strategies and therefore no such culture exists. Neglect of maintenance has accumulated consequences in rapid increase in the deterioration of the fabric and finishes of a building accompanied by a harmful effect on the contents occupants (Seeley, 1987). Inadequate maintenance strategy is a peculiar feature of almost every building in Nigeria. According to Rotimi and Mtallib (1995) is partly due to poor maintenance culture on one hand and partly due to the absence of an appropriate benchmark.

Gurji (1990) asserted that lack of proper maintenance culture bring the life of a building lost before reclining the total obsolescence state. The declining maintenance culture in Nigeria and its effect on building has become a major problem to both the public and private sectors. A poorly maintained building in a decaying environment depresses the quality of live and contributes in some measures to anti social behaviour which threatens the socio-political environment it finds itself in. This research is necessitated to assess of the effect of maintenance strategies on the full utilization of hotel property.

1.2       Statement of Problems

Poor maintenance strategy is a common scenario in Nigeria as both public and private properties wear a new and decent look at the point of construction and occupation, however, this look fades away with time as the property is put to use and subjected to climatic factors which cause the wear and tear of the property and its members parts without any effort to maintain its functionality and look.  Maintenance problems though do manifest during the use of the building, their cause might be during the design state. The exact nature of maintenance problems in hotel properties (buildings) could be traceable to certain factors or conditions that are inherent in the design and production of the building. Hence this research is intended to carry out an assessment of the effect of maintenance strategies on the full utilization of hotel property (a study of Chris Park Hotel Maraba).

1.3       Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of this research is to carry out an assessment of the effect of maintenance strategies on the full utilization of hotel property (a study of Chris Park Hotel Maraba).

 To achieve the above aim the following objectives shall be pursue:

i.                    To identify the maintenance strategy adopted by Chris Park Hotel Maraba in the maintenance of her properties

ii.                  To assess the state of repair or disrepair of the organization’s properties.

iii.                To  examine the effect of maintenance strategy adopted on the full utilization of the organization properties

iv.                To examine the challenges associated with the maintenance strategies in the study area.

v.                  To proffer solution to the challenges associated with poor maintenance strategies.

1.4       Research Questions

The following research questions shall serve as a guide to the researcher towards achieving the aim of this study:

i.                    What are the maintenance strategy adopted by Chris Park Hotel Maraba in the maintenance of her properties?

ii.                  What is the state of repair or disrepair of the organization’s properties?

iii.                What are the effects of maintenance strategy adopted on the full utilization of the organization properties?

iv.                What are the challenges associated with the maintenance strategies in the study area?

v.                  What are the possible solutions to the challenges associated with poor maintenance strategies?

1.5       Significance of the Study

This study is essential in the sense that it would not only contribute to the theory and knowledge but will also contribute to the effectiveness of maintenance of building or property maintenance in both private and public organization especially Chris Park Hotel. This is because the study will attempt to find out the impact of poor maintenance strategy on hotel property in Mararaba.

Well structured maintenance schedules in different hotels in different countries have yielded excellent results for hotel operators, which must be learnt and derived from this study as an incentive to:

-          Real estate investors to go into hotel development and management.

-          Hotel operators in pursuing efficient maintenance programmes.

-          Private companies solely into hotel property management.

This research work would be of great significance and relevance as a source of information which will guide property developers, public and private institutions, students of estate management, building technology, property managers as well as the government and its relevant agencies dealing with poor maintenance culture of property.

1.6       Scope and Limitations of the Study

This project work covers entirely the assessment of the effect of maintenance strategies on the full utilization of hotel properties. The scope of the research will be limited to Chris Park Hotel Mararaba to enable the researcher have full access to the study area for property study, observation and inspection.

1.7       Definition of Operational Terms

Maintenance: According Miriam webmaster Maintenance is define as the act of maintaining, the state of being maintained or the upkeep of property or equipment

Poor: Poor is defined as lacking material possessions or lacking a normal or adequate supply of something specified —often used in combination.

Utilization: Utilization is the action of making practical and effective use of something.

Property: Dictionary.com defines property as that which a person owns; the possession or possessions of a particular owner.

Culture: According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular society, group, place, or time — culture in a sentence.

Poor: English oxford living dictionary define poor as lacking sufficient money to live at a standard considered comfortable or normal in a society.

Hotel: According to businessdictionary.com, hotel is a commercial establishment providing lodging, meals, and other guest services. In general, to be called a hotel, an establishment must have a minimum of six letting bedrooms, at least three of which must have attached (ensuite) private bathroom facilities.

Strategy: According to businessdictionary.com strategy is a method or plan chosen to bring about a desired future, such as achievement of a goal or solution to a problem. Or the art and science of planning and marshalling resources for their most efficient and effective use.

1.8       Historical Background of the Study Area

Mararaba is a town in central Nigeria, within Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State. It sits along the Abuja- Keffi Road and it is often regarded as a suburb of the capital city, Abuja. The area is densely populated which contributes to the heavy traffic on the road channels there. Some of the neighbouring towns to Mararaba are Kurunduma, Ado, Masaka, New Nyanya and New Karu. Mararaba town is an economically friendly residence for people working in Abuja. Noteworthy developments are financial institutions, Mararaba General Hospital and Kwad Mall.

Mararaba is a border town between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and Nasarawa State. Its proximity to Abuja, being the seat of power, has made it difficult to identify the boundary between the two states. Densely-populated with middle and low-income earners, Mararaba is predominantly occupied by civil servants that work in federal government establishments in Abuja metropolis. These workers daily commute from this suburb to Abuja city centre, where most of the government offices and corporate establishments are located.

The workers apparently took advantage of low-cost houses, affordable cost of living and land to build a place of abode for themselves. As a result of the high concentration of people there, basic infrastructure like roads, power, education and health facilities have been overstretched by daily inflow of Nigerians who have found solace in this part of the country in spite of the obvious social challenges that have made life and living unbearable.

The town is regarded by many FCT residents as one of the most populated towns in and around the FCT that is synonymous with poverty, absence of infrastructure and poor living standard, as evidenced in the daily complaints and lamentations of the residents. Life could be unbearable in Mararaba, particularly in the rainy season, because already bad roads become worse and flooded as a result of blocked waterways. Electricity installations are pulled down by regular downpours, and the environment stinks due to open defecation and heaps of refuse that ooze offensive smells.

In the midst of this, epidemics are visited on the residents due to poor sanitary conditions. But as they strive to give themselves a better lease of life, those who could afford it turn to a mini (local government) providing amenities like borehole water system, power supply, medical services and security for themselves.

Commercial motorcycle, otherwise known as “Okada” has become the choice mode of transportation in Mararaba, that has to an extent exposed the people to several safety risks. Some of the operators claim to be “encyclopedia of Mararaba” having worked there for years. The architectural design of Mararaba has no major bus stop and as a result commercial and private motorists stop at will to either drop or pick passengers. While they do that, they totally forget that there are many other vehicles that ply the road and each time a vehicle stop for few seconds either to pick or drop a passenger, tens of others behind are forced to also stop and wait. The result, expectedly, is gridlock.

 

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