Poor Performance Among Local Government Employees In Ebonyi State: Reasons And Solutions

Abstract

This study was on poor performance among local government employees in Ebonyi state. The total population for the study is 200 staff of selected local government in Ebonyi state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made directors, administrative staff, senior staff and junior staff were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies.

Chapter one

Introduction

1.1Background of the study

Workforce productivity remains a primary element for success in most organizations, including those in government. Knowing what factors influence productivity is a prerequisite to improving performance. Over the years, researchers have found that productivity is affected by relatively few influencers, and employees are generally aware of what those influencers are (Armstrong, 2006; Clawson & Newburg, 2005; Hankin, 2004; Newstrom & Bittel, 2002; Williams, 2003). Based on such insight, a study was implemented to directly identify those factors that most influence the productivity of the more than five million workers in local governments in the United States (State Government Employment Data, 2005). Identification of the specific productivity limiters operative in the local government workplace will yield opportunities for significant productivity gains in public-sector organizations

Organizational performance refers to the ability of an organization to measure its achievements by comparing the inflow and outflow of its financial ratios as a result of strategic management practices (Burnes, 2000). A number of management theories and techniques have been developed to improve the understanding and practice of management in organizations. The more significant of these include management by objectives, organizational development and operations research. In addition to this list, there is strategic planning and finally, risk management. In most cases, these theories and practices were initially developed and applied in large private and public sector organizational settings and attempts were subsequently made to transfer them to micro and small enterprises sector contexts. Such attempts met varying degrees of success (Nicholas and Abby, 2006).

Poor condition of service has become a major issue in local government and this has affected the production capacity of the organization. Staff benefit such as leave bonus, salaries training allowances etc are been withheld. Even the working environment of staff are not conducive, working equipment are not provided, promotion is delayed above all the motivation level is low.

 

The resultant effect of the poor condition of service will no doubt bring about lower performance of employees which in turn will result to low productivity as stressed will begin to set in laziness, absenteeism, negligence, late coming, dishonesty and even disloyalty and other shoddy attitude. For instance, in most local government of Ebonyi State is a case study in this research work are paying 30% for staff salary for the past a year now, all these will not allow the staff, to put life, strength in whatever they are doing. It is in the cause of this that the researcher deem it fit to choose this topic because of its importance to the employer and the employee and to come out with a lasting solution to tackled the issue of poor performance among local government employees in Ebonyi state

Statement of the problem

The creation of local government certainly was just to create vacancies for staff to work and earn salaries, rather local governments in Nigeria were created to bring development nearer to the people and enhance their condition of living. However, over the years, a lot of problems has bedeviled the local government system which has crippled the performance of the entire system.

1. There is excessive politicking in the local government system in Nigeria.
2. It seems the staff of local government has no recognition like that of counter part at the state and federal services
3. They seem to be excessive control on the local government by the higher tiers of government (state and federal) hence, the need for local government autonomy
4. The basic elements for staff motivation and performance seems to be lacking in the local government system

Objective of the study

The objectives of the study are;

1. To ascertain the causes of poor performance of local government employee in Ebonyi state
2. To ascertain whether employee non motivation is the cause of poor performance in the local government in Ebonyi state
3. To ascertain whether there is excessive politicking in the local government system in local government in Ebonyi state

Research hypotheses

H0: there are no causes of poor performance of local government employee in Ebonyi state.

H1: there are causes of poor performance of local government employee in Ebonyi state.

H0: employee non motivation is not the cause of poor performance in the local government in Ebonyi state.

H2: employee non motivation is the cause of poor performance in the local government in Ebonyi state

Significance of the Study

The study will be of great importance as it will help I providing the readers with unique information on poor performance of staffs especially those intending to conduct investigation in the near future on this topic. The study will educate managers, administrators, directors etc that training of staff is not a waste of time, it has merits. The study will also serve as a references to other researchers that will embark on the related topic

Scope and limitation of the study

The scope of the study covers poor performance among local government employees in Ebonyi state. The researcher encounters some constrain which limited the scope of the study;

1. a) AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study
2. b) TIME: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.

Definition of terms

PERFORMANCE: Is the accomplishment of a given task measured against present known standards of accuracy, completeness, cost and speed

GOVERNMENT: Is the political direction and control exercised over the actions of the members citizens, or inhabitants of communities, societies and states; direction of the affairs of a state, community, etc political administration.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT: According to Sills (1972), local government is defined as ‘’a public organization authorized to decide and administer a limited range of public policies within a relatively small territory which is a sub division of a region, state or national government.

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