Owerri — The Director-General National Orientation Agency (NOA),Alhaji Idi Farouk has identified poor maintenance culture as a contributory factor to poor development of facilities in the country.

Farouk stated this at a one day stakeholder's conference organized by the National Orientation Agency Imo State today in Owerri. The DG, represented by the State Director of the Agency Mr.Vitus Ekeocha regretted that most private, public and individual facilities do not expend the necessary resources to maintain equipment in proper working condition.

He said that despite huge resources invested by various tiers of government and private sector in the erection of public buildings, roads, bridges, electricity generation, yet maintenance of these infrastructural facilities are treated as an optional issue.

He expressed dismay that the situation in the country have greatly diminishes both the economic and social benefits intended from the massive private investments. According to him deterioration of infrastructural assets due to lack of maintenance, not only constitutes a serious drain on national wealth, but also seriously undermine the development process.

Speaking at the occasion, the Governor Ikedi Ohakim advised communities to imbibe the habit of maintenance culture by forming maintenance committee in their areas to look after idle facilities.