Maintenance Creates Jobs, Wealth – Fashola 

Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, Minister of Works and Housing, has asked members of the National Council of Works to activate infrastructure upkeep in the country in order to produce wealth and long-term jobs for citizens.

Fashola gave the charge to attendees at the 27th Meeting of the National Council on Works in Bauchi, Bauchi State, according to a statement released by the ministry on Thursday.

“I hope it will assist all of us focus on, not just the necessity of infrastructure investment, but more importantly on infrastructure maintenance, the economy around maintenance, and sustainable and long-term jobs that are produced via maintenance,” Fashola added.

“You’ll note that I said a maintenance economy rather than a maintenance culture.
This is because upkeep is a question of survival, bread and butter, and cash, not a cultural issue.

“According to available data, only around 3% of the workforce in the constructed sector is employed in design and construction, which lasts until the project is done, while the remaining 70% is employed in infrastructure operation and maintenance.”

Senator Bala Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi State, said in his opening address, “As a determined strategy, we have commenced on the supply of infrastructure that has a direct influence on the socioeconomic life of our people since assumption of office over two years ago.”

According to Mohammed, the state has begun an aggressive urban revitalization and rural development initiative.