The Roles of Management, the Problems and Prospects of Workers in Public Services

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background To The Study

Electricity development in Nigeria started towards the end of the last (19th) century when the first generating plant was installed in the city of Lagos in 1898, by then colonical government under the jurisdiction of the public works department. Later, other electricity undertakings were set up by the native and municipal authorities in different parts of the country. From this date onwards, and until 1950, the pattern of electricity development was in the form of individual electricity undertakings set up at various towns. In 1950, inorder to integrate power development in the country and make it effective, the federal government passed the electricity corporation of Nigeria ordinance No. 15 of 1950. This ordinance brought under one umbrella all the electricity undertakings owned and controlled by the native and municipal authorities under the public works department.

The electricity corporation of Nigeria usually referred to as C.C.N this became the statutory body responsible for generation, transmission, distribution in Nigeria.

The Nigeria Dams Authority was established by an act of parliament in 1962. it was charged with the responsibility of construction and maintenance of dams and other works on the River Niger and elsewhere. Its function also included generating electricity by means of water power, improving navigation and promoting fisheries and irrigation construction of the Kainji Dam which began in March 1964, was completed on schedule in December, 1968. Based on the prevalent buck passing then between electricity corporation of Nigeria (ECN) and Niger Dams Authority (NDA) on intermittent power failure in the country, the federal government decided to merge the organizations into one single body.

In 1970, precisely, a year after the above decision was taken, the federal government appointed a Canadian firm of consultants, shawmont limited to look into the technical details of the merger. The report was submitted in 1971 by decree N0. 24 of 27th June, 1972 (which became effective from 1st April, 1972), the electricity corporation of Nigeria (ECN) and the Niger Dam Authority were merged by the federal government to become the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA). In January, 1973 NEPA became operational when a general manager was appointed, with the mandate to generate, transmit and distribute electricity to all parts of the federal and charge customers minimally for their consumption.

This decree gave NEPA the sole responsibility of providing electricity to the entire Nigeria populace.

1.2 Statement Of Problem

The problem of this study includes:

1. Fear of loss of job
2. Delay in payment of retirement and other fringe benefit.
3. Lack of safety materials
4. Obsolete equipment
5. Vandalization of installations
6. Poor public image
7. Delay in promotion
8. Poor welfare package.

1.3 Objective Of The Study

1. To find out the extent of fear of loss of job in National Electric Power Authority.
2. To determine the extent of delay in payment of retirement & other fringe benefit.
3. To ascertain the extent of lack of safety materials
4. To examine the extent of obsolete equipment
5. To find out the extent of vandalization of installations in National Electric Power Authority.
6. To find out extent of poor public image in National Electric Power Authority.
7. To examine the extent of delay in promotion of workers in National Electric Power Authority.
8. To find out the extent of poor welfare package.

1.4 Scopes Of The Study

The scope of the study is limited to the roles of management, the problems and prospects of workers in public services with reference to National Electric Power Authority, Enugu.

1.5 Research Question

These questions are extracted from the purpose or objectives of the study.

1. To what extent does the fear of loss of job occur in National Electric Power Authority.
2. To what extent does the delay in payment of retirement and other fringe benefit occur in NEPA.
3. To what extent does the lack of safety materials affects NEPA.
4. To what extent does the vandalization of installations affects NEPA.
5. To what extent does the delay in promotion of workers occur in NEPA.
6. To what extent does the poor welfare package affect NEPA.

1.6 Significance Of The Study

This study is significant for the following reasons. The result of this study would help to expose the level of fear of loss job, it would help National Electric Power Authority to evaluate the past, if possible amends were necessary. The result would help the management of National Electric Power Authority, to see the extent of occurrence of diversion of delay in payment of retirement and other fringe benefit.

The findings also create the base that would facilitate the understanding of needs for change and plan ahead for the effect.

It is hoped that the result would provide a focus that could effectively combat the illegal installation of electricity. The result would also expose the pattern of problems in National Electric Authority, Enugu.

It is also expected that other similar parastals would benefits from the findings of this studying in NEPA Enugu in the process of running their own.

The result would held NEPA to access their overall performance, for possible modification and adjustment.

Finally, this study would serve as worth of reference to future researchers while the suggestions made in this study would serve as a formative evaluation step in the right direction for the maximization and utilization of best brains for effective and efficient administration to National Electric Power Authority, Enugu.