Physical asset management companies such as Pragma can play an enormous role in assisting the public sector with getting the proper systems and business processes in place in order to establish capability within the various departments.
Says Nico Jobe Mabaso, Executive Manager – Business Developer at Pragma: “Physical asset management is currently in its infancy at government level. The public sector is fully aware of the challenges they are facing with regards to non-maintenance and the aging and degrading of existing facilities, and is in the process of implementing policies to ensure proper asset management in the future.”
Mabaso says that the challenges of the past remain the challenges of the future. “The public sector is greatly challenged by the fact that many people still don’t have access to clean water, electricity and healthcare. On top of that, we have an aging infrastructure, so where does one start? Do you put money towards maintaining the infrastructure first or spend money on housing, water and electricity supply? This chicken and egg situation is the biggest block towards creating meaningful progress with regards to physical asset management.”
According to Mabaso, most of the opportunities in this sector lie at local government level. “This is where delivery takes place. The first step in assisting local government would be to conduct an AMIP assessment (i.e. status quo assessment); this will then inform a way forward such as Asset Management strategy development, the drawing up of an asset register including remaining useful life span, asset value and various asset maintenance solutions. With our assistance, service delivery will improve due to proper asset care and management of assets, saving up to 75% in the breakdown of assets. Preventative asset maintenance is much more effective than reactive asset management, which of course will lead to more funds being available for other services within the public sector. We’ve proven without a shadow of a doubt that proper physical asset management is key to improved and sustainable service delivery.”
Some of Pragma’s success stories in the public sector include the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Energy Department, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality as well as the City of Cape Town. “We’ve also successfully done projects with Magalies Water, Johannesburg City Parks as well as the municipality of Newcastle. eThekwini Metro and Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality have recently renewed their contracts with Pragma for a period of three years. As an example, Pragma supports the City of Cape Town’s Electrical Support Services (ESS), Fleet Management and Maintenance Services (FMMS) divisions. By the way, the City of Cape Town won the overall as well as the gold Pragma Physical Asset Management Award this year, which acknowledges exceptional improvement of asset management best practices and processes in a company’s operation.”
Mabaso believes that physical asset management companies can support the Public Sector in the rendering of improved and efficient service delivery. “Pragma’s strength rests in various elements. Amongst our people, our African operational company is headed up by the President of SAAMA (industry association) and together with one of our partner consultants they serve in the Global Forum of the ISO 55 000 Committee (responsible for the development of the new global physical asset management standards). Some of our employees are key opinion leaders in various sectors. Our asset management solutions are based on international best practice supported by years of experience and industry expertise and aligned with PAS 55. Pragma’s On Key is a best of breed Enterprise Asset Management System and is currently used in +/- 170 countries worldwide. This makes Pragma a leading Physical Asset Management Solution provider geared to offer full turnkey asset management solutions.”
For further information, please contact Nico Jobe Mabaso on 011 848 6940 or email him at NicoJobe.Mabaso@pragmaworld.net.
MORE ABOUT NICO
Nico Jobe Mabaso is the personification of a true entrepreneur, multi -skilled with an array of qualifications under his belt. Mabaso has 17 years’ experience behind him in the corporate environment. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management Studies with Buckingham-shire Chilterns University College (UK) and in 2001 passed his final year MBA (International Marketing) with Management College of Southern Africa (MANCOSA).
During his time with Pragma, Mabaso has been exposed to cutting edge trends and developments in Physical Asset Management and enjoys the support of industry’s leading Experts and Key Opinion Leaders involved in the development of ISO 55 000, employed by the organisation. Mabaso is also responsible for Africa’s Corporate Social Responsibility, which aims at investing back in our community. He has previously worked within Pragma Africa as an Executive Manager responsible for Public Sector Markets. In this capacity, he was responsible for Strategy, Sales and Market Development in the Public Sector Market. He is also a current member of Pragma Africa’s Executive Committee.
