Challenges facing facilities maintenance management at the city of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality

Abstract

The study explored challenges in facilities maintenance management at the City of Ekurhuleni Municipality and their effects on service delivery. It aimed to provide actionable recommendations for improvement through qualitative research. The City of Ekurhuleni Municipality is one of the three Metropolitan Municipalities in Gauteng Province, situated on the East of Johannesburg (previously known as East Rand). The city was formed in 2000, through the amalgamation of nine former municipal authorities, namely the Greater Germiston, Greater Benoni, Greater Boksburg, Greater Brakpan, Greater Springs, Kempton Park, Edenvale, Alberton and Nigel. Adopting a qualitative research approach, the investigation addresses key questions: (1) What does the literature say about facilities maintenance management and service delivery within the discipline of Public Administration? (2) What are the challenges facing facilities maintenance management to enhance service delivery at the City of Ekurhuleni Municipality? (3) What are the effects of challenges facing facilities maintenance management on service delivery at the City of Ekurhuleni Municipality? (4) What recommendations can be made to the City of Ekurhuleni Municipality to minimise the challenges facing facilities maintenance management to enhance service delivery at the City of Ekurhuleni Municipality? The findings reveal significant issues, including inadequate budget allocation, resource shortages, unfilled critical vacancies, and the absence of a guiding facilities management policy. Based on these findings, the study proposes actionable recommendations: the City of Ekurhuleni Municipality should increase budget allocation for maintenance, ensure adequate provision of resources and tools, fill critical vacancies in the Facilities Management Division, develop a comprehensive Facilities Management Policy, and secure top management support for maintenance strategies. These recommendations aim to address identified challenges and contribute to enhanced service delivery outcomes in the City of Ekurhuleni Municipality.