Description
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.
1.5 DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA
Ilorin is the State Capital of Kwara in the North-central Geo-political
zone of Nigeria. It is situated at 8.5 0 North latitude, 4.55 0 East longitude
and 290 meters elevation above the sea level, (Ilorin-Wikipedia, 2016).
Ilorin had a population of 781,934 as of 2006 National census, with a
population projection of 908,490 in 2011, (NPCN web). Ilorin comprises
of mainly three local Governments, which are: Ilorin east, Ilorin South
and Ilorin west with their capital in Oke-Oyi, Fufu and Oja-Oba
respectively. With the population projection in Ilorin, this makes it the 13 th
largest city in Nigeria by population and also one of the most Urbanized
city in the country covering a total of 295 square miles (765 square
kilometers), (Ilorin-Wikipedia, 2016).
1.6 METHODOLOGY
The method used in carrying out this project includes Document
reviews, Structured Interviews and Participants/Personal Observations. It
involves consultation to the required Ministries and Corporation such as
the Kwara State Ministry of Works and Transport, Kwara State Road
Maintenance Agency (KWARMA), Ministry of Water Resources, The
Nigeria Railway Corporation, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company
(IBEDC), etc.