‘Big fish in ocean’: Experts laud Julius Berger at IFMA conference

Facility Management (FM) experts have commended Julius Berger Nigeria Plc at the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Global Africa Conference in Lagos.

The conference, which had Julius Berger as a sponsor and key contributor, convened leading professionals to discuss innovation, sustainability, and the future of the built environment.

The event, which featured immense training sessions and expert panel discussions, had the former President of IFMA, Segun Adebayo, describing Julius Berger as a big fish in the ocean with a robust facility management structure spanning its regions, even as he commended the company’s unique perspective on sustainability in the industry.

Also speaking at the event held in Lagos last week, Julius Berger Technical Manager, Facility Management, Lagos, Engr. Amina Dottie, highlighted the company’s decades-long journey in Facility Management, emphasising that the practice has been integral to the company’s operations for about 20 years, long before many current industry players emerged.

“For us as a company, you can’t just disassociate the Julius Berger umbrella or portfolio from Julius Berger Facility Management; it is an integrated part of our structure and values,” Dottie stated.

She noted that the company provides a complete project cycle, from planning and design through its subsidiary PrimeTech, to construction and ultimately, operational maintenance, embedding sustainability at every stage.

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To underscore the point, Dottie cited the Lekki–Ikoyi Toll Bridge project in Lagos, where recurring vandalisation of power infrastructure had posed significant challenges.

She added that Julius Berger collaborated with government agencies, conducting facility audits and recommending solution-driven reports.

“The development led to the installation of solar-powered CCTVs to monitor and secure the bridge’s lighting system, enhancing safety, reducing reliance on traditional power, and safeguarding public infrastructure,” Dottie said.

Speaking to African students in attendance, Dottie urged them to embrace continuous learning and collaboration, saying: “Don’t just stop at trying to develop yourself, go for knowledge.

“AI has made it possible to access almost anything to build understanding. Collaborate with colleagues and other experts; FM is multidimensional, and it thrives on interaction. Don’t just let what you have learnt here slip; actualise it. Let it come to life.”

During the panel discussions, the Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Transport Agency (LAMATA), Olukemi Ochie, stressed the importance of embedding facility maintenance into transport infrastructure via rail, BRT buses, and related assets from the design stage.

On her part, the General Manager of Lagos State Infrastructure Asset Management Agency (LASIAMA), Adekanbi Adenike, described Julius Berger as one of LASIAMA’s most trusted contractors.

Adenike commended the company’s invaluable role in strengthening Lagos State infrastructure projects.

The Star