CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The issue of low productivity of Nigeria workers has in recent years been a matter of great concern to the nation. The rate at which productivity grows is influenced by two things: –

(i)               The rate of society’s demand and the rate of inflation.

Increased productivity is very vital for the health of the country because it will help to improve the conditions of the environment, enhance security and improve the standard and quality of life of the citizens. This is why David Ricardo in his study of population said 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.

YusufT.M. (1962:50) 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 most efficient use of all available resources. With these definitions; One may ask why is the Nigeria worker inherently characterized by low-productivity in spite of all government’s efforts to improve the economy and the ever increasing need for improved productivity? The answer to this disturbing question is vital and will be answered and discussed in this study.

67

Increasing productivity is a way of increasing the ability of people to do what they want, to do as well as achieving a higher standard of living for all suffering from low income and in boosting the prosperity of the overall Nigeria economy.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Research has been carried out in Nigeria; regrettably not much has been done in the way of solving the problem facing the Nigeria workers.

This has been detrimental to the increase of productivity which will contribute to the development of nation like Nigeria. In order to increase productivity among the workers in Nigeria with the help of PHCN as a guide the following bottle neck were observed. The fear of Job security among workers.

The workers should be assumed of their jobs.

The motivational tool and incentives were not properly provided to the workers that will make them to put in their best.

The job evaluation system has been carried out in an unfair manner Lack of programmes provision for developing staff made many junior

67

staff undertake personal training at the detriment of the employers.

1.3 THE OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The objective or purpose of the stud is to discover the

Following:

1.   To closely look at those factors responsible for low productivity.

2.   To review the current operating standard that will be of great help in the task of increasing productivity.

3.   To verify what should be done to increase the overall interest of the workers to enhance productivity.

4.   To find out the ways to ensure commitment to work in order to increase productivity.

To investigate how effective the motivational method already applied has promoted productivity.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION

To carry out the research effectively, a number of related Questions covering the productivity of workers in PHCN have been raised.

The following questions were used to acquire the necessary information on the study.

67

What factors were responsible for the low productivity of the workers?

What will encourage a worker to work diligently and put in his best at work?

What types of work environment will help to facilitates a worker in carrying his duties.

Does management style of leadership affects workers productivity level?

What additional incentives will the management apply to increase productivity?

1.5 SCOPE

The research gave much consideration to the problems

associated with low productivity among workers in the public and private organization where productivity level can be measured. The study intends to cover a public sector which is National Electricity power Authority.