AN ASSESSMENT OF THE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WATER CO-OPERATION

Introduction

1.1 Background Of Study

In a developing country such as ours, the public sector necessarily bears much of the burden of development regardless of our ideological stance and the public corporation or public enterprises to adopt a more comprehensive nomenclature, this constitutes government’s chief agent in development processes. Their success is therefore of critical importance, yet the picture under both civilian and military regime over the failure of this government owned companies some of the time, government interference in day to day operations of the companies. Inadequate funding, condition of service and the work environment, politicization of the enterprise and poor management. Of all the above mentioned, none is to be stressed more than the management.

Characteristically, the developing countries are known for low technological progress and extremely low labour productivity. The Nigerian scene portrays the situation very adequately, despite productivity. The Nigerian scene despite its productivity, and abundance in natural resources and rich environment the Nigerian economy was not quite taken off; most organizations do not operate smoothly and efficiently.

A glance at the performance record of any public corporation will be very convincing. The failures of the three vital corporation – Nigerian coal corporation to operate efficiently necessitated the sub – contracting of the management of the corporation to expatriate, the inability of the post and telegraph (P & T) and the national electric power authority (NEPA) to render adequate services to the society has been the concern of all Nigerians, a lot of management problems have been observed to be attitude based and therefore when one enterprise goes wrong, one should suspect that some management principle have been abused and either neglected or violated.

Poor management characterized all our economic sectors especially in the public sector which operate far below the private sector, therefore a realistic approach to the development of this sector (public sector) calls for qualified high level manpower especially at the management levels.

It was against this that the researcher tries to find out the problems of management in Enugu state water corporation inefficiencies occasioned by poor management especially in the state.

The water supply administration in Enugu state was limitedly the responsibility of public work department (P.W.D) from inception in 1924: in 1973 them east central state water board was created forming the nucleus work force. This was succeeded by the Anambra state water board in 1976, which in turn was suspended by the Anambra state of Nigeria edict No. 16 of 1987 with five, directors and zones situated at Onitsha, Abakiliki, Akwa, Nsukka, Udi, Aguata, Nnewi, Ihiala with Enugu as headquatersers.

Enugu state water corporation came into being after the creation of the state from the old Anambra state in August 27th1991. Enugu state water corporation had its first general manager in the person of I.G Dyoke. Today it has the following functional zones at Enugu, Nsukka, Udi and Ninth mile excluding Abakilikik, which is now in Ebonyi state. The headquarters’ is still at 3 constitution road G.R.A Enugu. Their statutory services are production and distribution of drinkable water to the public and are being subverted by the government of the state. It has staff strength of about 1.300 with the following departments: at the Apex is the board then the general manager, the P.R.O, the internal Audit department. On the same strata is the commercial department, finance ad supplies department, engineering department and administrative department. Answerable to the engineering department, the construction operation and maintaining mechanical – electrical group (MEC) planning, research and statistics and planning design.

Currently in the Enugu state water corporation, as a public sector they have about two projects and the national water rehabilitation project.

1.2 Statement Of Problem

The factors hindering the smooth and efficient running of Enugu state water corporation are varied. Running of Enugu state water corporation are varied. They are traceable to production personnel, management and external interference. Enugu state water corporation being a public company, established with public funds and whose service are invaluable with no alternative is constantly under public eye as a result of increasing of mismanagement and poor managerial staff relationship.

Thus, Enugu state water corporation has been faced with multifarious management problems which may be termed mismanagement. Owing to lack of planning, organization, directing an controlling, other are government interference, political interference, span of control, finance, leadership, ill – application of management principles, lack of proper accountability, lack of motivation and integrity factors.

The researcher has therefore aimed at ascertaining the managerial problem of the corporation hence the statement of the problem is to identify the managerial problems facing the corporation with the view of determining it effect on their performance.

1.3 Objective Of The Study

Based on the problem stated above, which in clued mismanagement in the corporation, lack of workers motivation, lack of proper accountability, and wrong leadership style. The researchers therefore aim at getting solutions to these stated problems which tend to be the purpose or the objective of the study.

The objectives of the study therefore include.

1. To find out the proper system of management which are planning, organizing, controlling and motivations, that will be used by the Enugu state water corporation so as to avoid further management problems.
2. To find out the means of giving incentive and motivation to the staff so that they can improve their productivity and the staff relationship.
3. To ascertain ways of giving proper accountability about the corporation to enhance the normal functions to the Enugu state co – operation and reduce poor accountability.
4. Another objective of this study is to find out the good leadership style that will be suitable for the management of the corporation.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What are the displinary procedures in Enugu state water co – operation?
2. Is there any roles played by the employee in Enugu state water co – operation?
3. To what extent is motivation given to the employees?
4. Are there ay welfare programmers been given to workers?
5. Are the staffs there well skilled in Enugu state water co – operation.

1.5 Statement Of Hypothesis

1. Null hypothesis (Ho): the management system of Enugu state water corporation is not conducive for effective performance.
   Alternative hypothesis (Hi) the management system of Enugu state water corporation is conducive for effective performance.
2. Null hypothesis (Ho): the employees are not satisfied with the level of integration that exists is the different department of the corporation.
   Alternative hypothesis (Hi): the employees are satisfied with the level of integration that exist am the different department of the corporation.

1.6 Significance Of The Study

The statutory objective behind setting up of public utility companies by government with the tax payer’s money was to provide services to the public and with the view of raising their overall standard of living. In view of the above therefore the role of the state water corporation (Enugu state towards rendering these important services, to the people of the state could not be over emphasized. The good intention of the government has not been met due to problems associated with management of the outfit.

However through this study a stop would be put to this seemingly chronic problem which has tended to waste public funds. This study would benefit the populace of Enugu state who make use of the services rendered by the corporation and will have overall good effect on the country’s GNP while others who have one thing or the other to do with the corporation will benefit also.

1.7 Scope Of Study

The scope of this study is mainly on the management system in Enugu state water corporation. Since the scope is on Enugu state water corporation, the researchers work will be on only selected workers by sampling to give information about the organization.

1.8 Definition of some key terms.

The following terms are defined as they apply in this research.

System

System is defined as a set of interdependent, interacting element, a group of units so combined as form an organized whole whose output is greater than. The output of the constituent unit (Unamaka 1997)

Sub – system

Sub – system is the individual units that make up a system. Each sub – system has its own distinct activity with its focus of operation but having the total enterprise goal in view. These sub – system on diversified and interdependent which show that “everything is related to everything else” (Unamaka 1997).

Management

This can be described as the act of working particularly through people for the achievement of the broad goals of an organization.

1.9 Limitation Of The Study

This research work will be subjected to limitations associated with the survey research and student projects. Since there is no research grant for the research. There will be the problem of finance and transportation fees to carryout an extensive study.