AN ANALYSIS OF FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR LOW PRODUCTIVITY OF EMPLOYEES IN GOVERNMENT PARASTATALS A STUDY OF NATIONAL ELECTRIC POWER AUTHORITY ENUGU ZONAL OFFICE

ABSTRACT

In the course of this research work, productivity is taken to mean the relationship between the quantities of goods produced to the quantity of resources used. A more fruitful way to understand productivity is to consider it a process. Thus Brech (1975) was of the view that productivity can loosely thought of as the continuing improvement of the firms management performance in the use of resources and through the operations it is conducting.

However, for the purpose of his research work, the researcher highlights those factors responsible for low productivity among the Nigerian workers. The researcher tends to focus on those means that will be applied to get workers committed to their work using effective motivational tools to enhance an increase in the productivity level of the Nigerian workers while focusing on the public sectors organization, N.E.P.A. Enugu zonal office as the study scope. If the recommendations, findings are implemented, it will go a long way in helping the employers of labor especially N.E.P.A. to motivate, encourage her employer for greater productivity. 

Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources, the analysis of the data was carried out using the statistical method, it was under this study that the researcher brought out a population size that he used to determined the basis for the information gather and analyzed. The use of the chi-square (x²) helped to further the text of the data gathered.

The findings of the research observed by the help of questionnaire and interview embarked upon as regards factors responsible for this law productivity are as follows:

(i)                 The job evaluation system is being carried out in hazy and unfair manner.

(ii)               The motivational tools and incentives were not properly provided to workers, which in the right scenes, it tends to be motivating workers into putting their best at work but the reverse is the case.

(iii)             There is the fear of job security among workers for fear of being left redundant or sacked.

(iv)             The workers experienced a shortage of their working facilities that ought to have helped them in their productivity.

(v)               Working system in the country is not satisfactory accepted by the workers due to the fact that their purchasing power is not guaranteed.

Winding this findings the researcher then proffered recommendations that would eliminate these problems or at least reduce it to the bearest minimum. Thus recommendations tend to be:-

(i)                 Proper job evaluation so as to remove any biased feelings of evaluation processes.

(ii)               Provision of working facilities to aid workers.

(iii)             Training and development needs of workers.

(iv)             Provision of incentives and fringes benefit that has the ability to motivate workers’

(v)               Maintenance of discipline and work ethics.

TABLE OF CONTENT

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction                                                               

1.1              General background to the subject matter     

1.2              Problem associated to the subject matter       

1.3              Problems that the study will be concerned with        

1.4              The importance of studying the area             

1.5              Definition of important terms                        

Reference                                                                               

CHAPTER TWO

Literature review                                                                    

2.1              The origin of the subject area                         

2.2              School of thought within the subject area     

2.3              The school of though relevant to the problem

2.4              Difference method of studying the   

problem research method used.                                 

2.5              Summary.                                                                   

References                                                                                         

CHAPTER THREE

Presentation analysis of data                                     

3.1       Data presentation of studying                                   

3.2              Analysis of the data                                       

3.3              Recommendation                                                       

3.4              Conclusion                                                                 

Reference                                                                               

Appendix                                                                               

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.6              GENERAL BACKGROUND TO THE SUBJECT MATTER

Productivity in public Organization as well as in the private sector is simply the relationship between inputs and outputs. Inputs are basically resources such as labour, materials and capital. Outputs are such accomplishments as the work done, products distributed or services rendered. This in Nigerian, workers has been experiencing certain problem that has been hindering their productivity level that has adversely affected gross domestic product.

The government in trying to see that productivity maintains an Impressive level created the ministry of Labor, employment and productivity, National productivity center etc. in order to help alleviate the problems of Nigerian workers.

In view of these, one may genuinely ask, why is the Nigerian workers inherently characterized by low productivity in spite of all government efforts to improve productivity?

The answer to this disturbing question is difficult but vital and will be discussed extensively as we proceed into the study. Briefly we take a short historical background of N.C.P.A. that is a service organization in the public sector and the researcher decides to choose it in over viewing the general Nigerian workers. NEPA- The history of our present day NEPA would be incomplete if the old public work department of government which in 1876 installed the first generating set in Lagos, in not mentioned.

            In 1895, the preliminary investigation and planning were carried out by the P.W.D (public works Department) in Lagos at a cost of N3, 206000 and it was under the government of southern Nigeria in 1896 that the sum of N12, 000 were allocated for the former location of NEPA Headquarters in Lagos. Mr. T. poke was the first Chief Electrical Engineer of this establishment which was known as the Lagos Electricity supply.

In 1924, the system which hitherto operates the 1-phase 3-wire 80 cycle which is still being maintained till today.

Consequently, in 1929, a meter section was established to deal with the metering of various consumers. In the establishment of these bodies there was duplicity of functions by the federal government. Both agencies were involved in generation and transmitting electricity one sold to the other which then sells to the public. The federal Government decided to merge the two bodies this was done during the budget speech of the then, head of military Government major General Yakubu Gowon in 1972, he declared that in the interest of affording the nation a well coordinating system of electricity supply, the ECN and the NDA should merge into a body to be known as National Electric power Authority (NEPA). Thus by Decree N0. 24 of 1972, NEPA was established.

FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR LOW PRODUCTIVITY IN

N.E.P.A proclaimed that “it shall be the duty of the authority to developed and maintain an efficient, Co-ordinated and economical system of electricity supply for all parts of the Federation or as the authority may direct” with this, the organization was established to render service which is in line with aiding management in achieving it’s objectives and fulfilling its policies. But there has been certain factor that has posed as problems hindering the provision of adequate services to consumers of electricity supply.

This problem can be sub-divided into two major heading, internal and external factors: -

            The Internal factors are those problems that are contributed by the staff of the organization within their working environment and also those opeit out to staff by management, they are as follows: -

(i)                 Lack of incentives schemes and fringe benefits

(ii)               Environmental factors.

(iii)             Inadequate manpower utilization and training

(iv)             Lack of good management practices

(v)               Inadequate motivate

(vi)             Policies in the organization concerning disciplinary measures, promotions etc.

These are faced with workers in the organization depriving them of the ability to meet up to their customers’ expectation in services rendering. We now look into the other problems that are externally forge against the workers effective supply f services, they are:-

i)                    Low gas pressure and low water level, in the running of the hiermal and Hydro power stations respectively.

ii)                  Indiscriminate bush burning

iii)                Illegal connections

iv)                Theft and vandalization of N.E.P.A. equipment by unscrupulous persons.

v)                  Road construction workers damaging N.E.P.A. Underground cables

vi)                Careless and reckless motorists running into N.E.P.A. installations like transformers, substations and even electric poles.

vii)              Inadequate fund for the rehabilitation of old and worn-out equipments, or the procurement of new ones when the need arises.

These were spelt out as what is an affecting worker in their bid to carry out their work effectively, thereby weighing down productivity increase in their organization.

1.7              PROBLEM ASSOCIATED TO THE SUBJECT MATTER

Studies has been carried out in Nigeria regrettably, not much has been done in the way of solving the problems facing Nigerian workers which has been detrimental on increased productivity that will in small way contribute to the development of a developing Nation like Nigeria. Therefore this is particularly facing workers in public organization ranging from the junior staff to the management staff.

In order to foster increased productivity among workers in Nigeria with the help of the study carried out in the National Electric power Authority as a guide, will in no small way enable us to find solutions to the following problems stated below.

1.8              PROBLEMS THAT THE STUDY WILL BE CONCERNED WITH

The objective of this study is to discover the following.

1)                  What ways to be applied to ensure workers commitment to work in order to foster increased productivity?

2)                  To investigate how effective the motivational methods, if any has played any role in the bid to increased productivity of workers

3)                  What should be done to increase the overall interest of the workers?

4)                  To closely look at those factors responsible for low productivity of workers.

5)                  To review the current operating standards of management suggest if possible any other standard that will be of great help in the task of stepping up productivity.

1.9              THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING THE AREA

The result of this research will help to adjust those problems that militate against productivity of workers in the public sector of the economy and thus help to improve the image of the course.

The research will provide solutions to low productivity problems to aid increased productivity level of workers, which is considered the highest objective of managers of organization. The research will as well provide for management the needed sound background in theory, practice for implementation of their policies as well as co-coordinating, organizing, and controlling of the affairs of the public sector.

It is also helps N.E.P.A. management in dealing with its productivity problem serves as research material (secondary data) to future work that could be related to the study.

1.10          DEFINITION OF IMPORTANT TERMS

In the course of going through this work, some key words and phrases, which are very vital, has been explained below for better understanding.

PRODUCTIVITY:                                         is the ratio between out put and          all resources used in production.

LOW PRODUCTIVITY:                               inadequate productivity

or mainly low level of production

SUPPLY:                                                        The provision of electricity

Current

POWER:                                                         The generated electricity

for domestic use