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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The result of research will help to address those problems that militate

against low productivity of workers in the public and private sector of

the economy.

The research also will provide managementthe needed background in

theory and practice for the implementation of the policies as well as

coordinating organising and controlling of the affairs of the public

sector.

He will also help the PHCN management in dealing with the

productivity problems.

1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The research work is limited by the amount of the materials such as

text. Therefore going into detail will involve getting data from all of

them and this will not be an easy job considering the limitation

resource (i.e money effort and time) available. Other limitation apart

from the general problem include financial aspects.

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