Ward 100’s government buildings received much-needed attention for the second time this year. A poorly maintained building can become hazardous for anyone working or living there.
Cracked walls and tiles, for instance, could not only be unsightly, but some could hurt residents badly. It may even result in litigation if it is proved that it was due to neglecting maintenance.
Ward 100 Clr Johannes Bekker said, “If you are a large business, you are legally bound to adhere to certain inspections and keep your property in a basic safe condition.”
“Smaller businesses should make a checklist and personally inspect their property every few weeks or months.”
“As soon as they see potential safety hazards, they should address them as quickly as possible. This creates a culture of prevention and offensive action,” said Bekker.
Precaution is much more cost-effective than cure. An urgent repair or replacement can incur substantially higher costs than ongoing preventative maintenance.
This is especially true for major systems, building integrity factors or large areas that may have been neglected.
It is much easier to budget around the regular upkeep of the entire property than to find the extra funds for an unpredictable emergency repair or replacement.
In the long term, building maintenance can save everyone time, frustration and money. The government took a stance to ensure preventative measures are in place, and regular maintenance is now implemented.
Ward 100 is an example of buildings in use receiving much-needed attention, starting with painting and tiling.
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It is also surprising how easily small paint jobs, trimming overgrown shrubs, and re-grouting tiles can extend the need for big aesthetic projects.
Just keeping the environment in constant tip-top condition can bring peace of mind and have a positive psychological effect on all who use the space.
“It is an honour to work with officials who understand the need to maintain buildings constantly as a safety measure for the public and the staff working in these buildings. I will keep the relevant departments on task to ensure all government-owned buildings receive attention.”
“Some buildings, like Home Affairs, are rented from private owners, and I will request them to start with repair works,” said Bekker.
