CAUSES OF LOW PRODUCTIVITY BY PUBLIC SERVICE WORKERS

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       INTRODUCTION

1.1       BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY:

            Productivity is very vital for the development of any country because it will help to improve the standard and quality of life of the citizens.

            The issue of low productivity by public service workers have in recent time been a matter of great concern to the nation.

            Let us first of all define the term or rather make an attempt to the definition of productivity.

            Productivity simply means the rate or efficiency of work especially in industrial production.  Therefore, low productivity is simply the slow rate and inefficiency of work in production.  Increased productivity will help to improve the conditions of the environment as well as enhance security.  This is why David Ricado stated in his study of population “that food needs to grow at a geometrical rate in order to meet the demand of the growing population.  This emphasizes the need for increased productivity.

            Yesufu T. M. (1962) was of the view that productivity can be defined as the ratio between output and all the resources used in production, i.e. capital, labour, raw materials etc.  The problem of raising output is one of making the most efficient use of all available resources.

            With these definitions,        one may ask – Why is the Nigerian Public Service workers inherently characterized by low productivity inspite all government’s efforts to improve productivity?

            Increasing productivity is a way of increasing the ability of people to do what they want to do as such that it can provide the wherewithal for achieving a higher standard of living for those suffering from low income and inversely boosting the prosperity of the overall Nigerian economy.

1.2       STATEMENT OF PROBLEM:

            There have been concerned effort by the government and the organized private sector to enhance productivity in Nigeria.  For instance, the Federal or State Government organizes seminars and workshops aimed at making its personnel to increase productivity.  We also have the National Productivity Centre and the Federal Government gives merit award to individuals who have distinguished themselves in terms of being highly productive.  But inspite of all the efforts being made, the public sector is still experiencing low or decreasing productivity.

            Especially in the Public Service today, there is relatively low level of productivity as most of the personnel are not putting in their best; some are idle, others come late to work and still others are absent from work without permission.  There is general laxity amongst workers who believe that government work is nobody’s work.

            Nigerians cannot withstand the competition in the world market, this is also attributable to low productivity especially in the public sectors.  In other countries, their level of technology is very high thereby enhancing their level of productivity which puts them in a favourable position in international market.

            This study will therefore provide answers to questions like – the causes of low productivity in the public sector of the Nigerian economy using NEPA, Enugu North Local Government Area as the case study.

1.3       OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:

            In view of the fact that the issue of low productivity has become a matter of great concern to the various sectors of the Nigerian economy.  Against this backdrop, the objectives of this study are aimed at finding out:

i.          Why productivity is low in the public sector

ii.         The roles of motivation in productivity

iii.        Also the management problems that causes inefficiency and low productivity of workers.

1.4       RESEARCH  QUESTIONS:

            In pursuance of this study, the following research questions were considered relevant.  Though the research questions were formulated based on the objectives of the study;

i.          What are the ways or means through which the management of NEPA motivates their workers?

ii.         How does motivation relate to productivity in an organization?

iii.        What are the relevance of motivation in the management of public organizations (NEPA)?

iv.        How does motivation serve as a management tool for increasing productivity?

v.         What are the management problems that causes inefficiency and low productivity of workers?

1.5       SCOPE OF THE STUDY:

            According to Osuala (1985:27) “an adequate statement of the problem also defines it very carefully in terms of its scope, and it is obvious for a researcher to set forth the bounds of the topic being researched on”.

            Based on this, the scope of this study covered the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) within Enugu North Local Government Area.

1.7       SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY:

            This study would be of immense benefit to the government and the management of public organizations especially those who are indifferent to the plights of the workers, since the study through the recommendations provided solutions and suggestions through which workers could be gingered for greater performance.  A major significance of this study is that it will serve as another contribution to the academic development of the theories of productivity.

1.8       HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF ENUGU NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT:

            Enugu North Local Government Area was formed in 1991 after the creation of Enugu State.  This Local Government was carved out from the then Enugu Local Government which was a premier Local government Area in the former Anambra State.

            Enugu North Local Government is bounded on three sides by three Local Government Areas.  These Local Government Areas are:  Enugu South Local Government in the South, Enugu East Local Government in the East and Udi Local Government on the Western side of Enugu North Local Government Area.

            Within Enugu North, there exist four notable markets, these markets are:

a.         The famous Ogbete Main Market, which is the biggest market in Enugu State.  It is sighted within the nerve center of Enugu North Local Government.

b.         Aria Market which is situated between the Iva-Valley Coal Mine and Enugu Gold course.

c.         Enugu Industrial Market at Coal Camp where motor parts are sold and manufactured.

d.         The New Haven Ultra Modern Market, Enugu.

            Enugu North Local Government has three tertiary institutions located within its locality.  There are namely:

i.          University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC)

ii.         Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT)

iii.        The Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu.

            Enugu North is also endowed with some tourist attractions such as:  The Modern Amusement Park (Polo Park) with its unique facilities.

B.        An Art Gallery within the complex of Institute of Management and Technology, Campus II on Okpara Avenue, Enugu.

C.        The Enugu Zoological garden and

D.        The National Archives all situated within or very close proximity to each other.

            There is also the International Trade Fair Complex, and within this complex is a communication outfit by NITEL for International and Local calls.

            Enugu North Local Government has two indigenous communities namely:

i.          Hill-top Indigenous Community in Enugu-Ngwo and

ii.         Ogui – Nike indigenous community.

1)         HILL-TOP INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY IN ENUGU NGWO:

            Enugu-Ngwo which is the oldest name since 1915, Pre and Post Colonial naming of the entire urban city had the prefix Enugu-Ngwo attached.  Moreso, before 1906 when Coal was discovered and later the mining of Coal, Enugu-Ngwo indigenes were basically farmers who cultivate cassava, vegetables and yam which they market in the open market which is today referred to as Ogbete Main Market.

            Enugu-Ngwo people are very welcoming to strangers.  Their cultural affinity and behavioural pattern make them homely with strangers from all facets of live.  The presentation of all their farm land for use to the Colonial Administration for building of Government Reserve Quarters, recreational centres and office secretariat both for Local, State and Federal Government speak loud of their welcome behaviour, hospitality and how free minded they are:

            The Enugu-Ngwo Hill-Top Community tribal/cultural heritages are the same with other communities but with a slight difference.  Biennially, Ngwo people celebrate the most exciting carnival in the world known as “ODO FESTIVAL”.

2)         OGUI-NIKE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY:

            Ogui-Nike is the Premier Indigenous Community within the Enugu North Local Government Area.  It is an autonomous community having its own Traditional Ruler in the person of IGWE ANTHONY OJUKWU, Chinenyeze I of Ogui – Nike.

            It is situated virtually in the center of the vast expanding metropolis of Enugu, Ogui-Nike still maintains its uniqueness and customs although it forms part of the large NIKE CLAN.

            The Nike clan extends from the Milikin Hill in the West, to Emene in the East and from Ugwuogo in the North to Ogui-Nike in the South.

            The place and importance of Ogui-Nike in the Enugu metropolis is preserved by the naming of the longest and most important Road in Enugu as “OGUI ROAD” in addition to the part of Enugu urban known as OGUI

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