THE MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS OF NIGERIAN RAILWAY CORPORATION (N R C)

Introduction

1.1 Background And Need Of The Study

The history of the Nigeria Railway corporation (N R C) commenced in the ninety − eight years ago in 1898, when the colonial government initiated the construction of railways. This was principally to winder the scope of transportation facilities in the country which have become imperative as a result of the tremendous growth of commerce

Nigeria railway corporation ordinance Act 1955 (see 15) is fully owned by the federal government the Nigeria Railway corporation (N R C) was also incorporated on October 1st 1955 but was not provided with a working capital.

The corporation commenced operation in 1912 with a root approximately put at 1496 kilometers. By 1927, this reached 2,571 kilometers and by 1936 it made further increase up to 3,057 the kilometers covered reached 3,062 and by 1978.

These increase were followed by a down ward trend between 1958 and 1959, when it, length roads decreased to 2,846 kilometers.

Picked up again, in 1961 and by 1962 the roads reached 3,036 kilometers. By 1963 it expanded to 3,505 kilometers and only very little or no change till today

Voeight F. (1967) stated that, the freight capacity of the N R C increased from 137,045 tonnes in 1955, to 140,000 tonnes in 1987.

However, the staff strength of the corporation have increased from 33, 000 the figure at commencement of business in 1912 to 34,400.

According to N R C ordinance Act 1955:15 the goals and objectives of N R C as stated in the ordinance from 1955 are as follows:

1. To manage and operate the railway and provide reasonable facilities for the carrying of passengers and load.
2. To control railway expenditures
3. To ensure that, so far as it is practicable annual renewed are sufficient to meet all expenditures properly chargeable to revenue.
4. To direct and control the expansion of the railway system.

According to Nzegwu (1973:15) the main objective of the NRC to provide efficient and reliable goods and passengers services in order to enhance economic, social and general welfare of the country. The immediate objective, he continued was to lay a sound technical and economic foundation for a steady and successful operation in subsequent years.

Looking closely at the above-mentioned objectives, if vigorously pursued as comprehensive enough to make fore efficient in the corporation. Inspite of the fact that issue of problem in public discussed in the past, not much researcher have been carried out with special reference to managerial problems in NRC.

This is partly responsible for the researchers interest in the study.

But at this point in time, we shall restrict ourselves to managerial problem of Nigerian Railway Corporation. Moreover, in recent times, so much importance has been attached to the role, which the railway system can play in our socio − economic development if the corporation can be put front on its feet. OSUHI O.E. (1987:18) the need to resuscitate NRC brought Chiness engineers into the operation and management of the corporation.

Attempt have also been made to provide a relatively Objective reason for the poor state of our rail transport system the managerial problem affecting it and ways to enhance productivity and efficient corporation in our country.

Hence, all these were aimed towards finding a way or solution for re-activating rehabilitating and revamping the corporation thus to enable it play its expected role in Nigeria. The major sector which can revamp easily the corporation is the ability to bring efficient management in NRC.

There is also a like between transportation an socio − economic development in any country most economic policies always consider transport as an integral part of any development process, and so any problem be it managerial financial, personal etc concerning transportation should be taken seriously. This is where the railway system, comes in as one of the best system of transportation for economic development. In regard to this, there is a lot of concern when this system is not functions as it should.

Accounting to Quarterly Journal of NRC Vol,2:1996:11 the stagnation of affairs in Nigeria railway corporation has been as a result of management problems which may be inability to pay workers salaries by the management inability to promote worker when due and disbursement of workers welfare packages.

It is believed that the managerial problem of the Nigeria railway corporation is so great and important. Hence constitute area of interest for a development country like ours.

This study is very important in order to examine the managerial problem of the corporation and suggest remedies

We could recall that the major course of the managerial problem has been as a result of under finding of the NRC for more than 20 years, which resulted in deterred maintenance in both the corporations infrastructure and the operating gear (1996:6 Rail news July − September).

1.2 Statement Of The Problem

The Nigerian Railway corporation (NRC) was established for the purpose of carrying goods and passengers by rail and storage of goods within Nigeria (whether or not these goods are to be carried by the corporation); the consignment of goods on behalf of other persons from any place within Nigeria or else where, the provision within Nigeria both for passengers carried by the corporation and for other persons, hostel, other living accommodation and place of recreation

Others include, the provision within Nigerian of such other amenities and facilities for passengers carried by the corporation and other persons using the services performed or the facilities provided by the corporation as it may appear to the corporation requisite or expedient to provide and subject to the consent of federal government to performed any services or provide facilities in any territory adjacent to Nigeria.

However, the corporation activities to day are considerably limited in scope because of the managerial problem that has hindered its operations thus preventing it from meeting its obligations to the government and people of the country.

These has created a great concern and sources of worry to the federal government as well as those whose business are greatly affected by the poor state of our system of transport this sources of worry to the federal government force the federal government of the federal republic of Nigeria to enter into contract in 1996 with the china civil Engineering construction corporation (CCECC) as a way to bringing security in the management of Nigeria rail way corporation

Amongst the managerial problems playing the corporation is financial management sources of fund, management fund, disbursement of fund, management of tracks, management, communication management vis telephone warlike talkie, personnel management via employment and firing, problem of training, management of coaches via toiletries, bathing rooms, kitchens and eating places, non − availability inadequate supply of water, intermitted supply of light as a result of canalization of lights inside the coaches.

Also it has been identified that the management of N R C have not been able to claims arising from operation of uneconomic stations and branch lines, lack of adequate and qualified manpower, funding of N R C pension.

It has been identified that workers relationship is very poor in this study, the focus is on the managerial problems.

1.2 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study will examine the managerial problems of the Nigeria Railway corporation (NRC) and ways of improving the managerial problems.

All categories of workers were involved in this research and all department were covered. However, this covers only the headquarter in Enugu. It is unfortunate that all the stations within the Eastern Division were not covered

1.3 Purpose Of The Study

The purpose of the study is to investigate the managerial problems afflicting the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC). This is to find out what has been the barrier to their progress, why the corporation cannot attain maximum productivity this study also intends to show what prospect an efficient and effective N N C holds for our socio − economic development.

1.4 Theoretical Foundation Of The Study

According to some political economist like the Marxist school, in a pure social list economic all means of production and services are owned by the state in a pure capitalist economy, all means of production and services are owned by private individuals called bourgeoisie.

But in a mixed economy, some means of production and services are owned by the state while some are owned by the private individuals (the capitalist or bourgeoisie.

Nigeria is a mixed economy, therefore, certain means of production and services are owned by the government. That companies are called public corporations.

They provide services which the bourgeoisie can not provide or can provide at a very prohibitive prices.

The Nigeria Railways Corporation is an example and is owned solely by the federal government.

The interaction between transportation and economic development is always a subject of theoretical interest and practical importance while some regard transport improvement as indispensable to an acceleration of the development as a result rather than as a cause of economic development.

One of the proponents of the view is that arch type of colonial administrations like Lord Lugard, who in 1922 stated that the material development of Africa may be summed up in the word transport. And as late as 1967, a united Nations study regarded transport as the formulative power of economic growth”

Lord Lugard’s view and that of the united Nations

Study forms theoretical foundation of this study because of the fact that it recognizes the role which a well developed transport system can play in the socio-economic development of Africa which incidentally includes Nigeria.

1.5 Significance Of The Study

A great number of discussions and studies have been carried out in the past as regards the issue of managerial problems and prospects in Public corporation in Nigeria. This is evident in the fact that the issue is of great significant to the socio − economic well being of the country and as such cannot be over looked. Although not much studies involving the N R C have been carried out in the past. The role of the N R C can play in our socio − economic development cannot be over − emphasized.

Transportation being an important aspect of any development initiative or process, the N R C has not attained the efficiency level expected of it in the transportation of goods and passengers. This is a result of several managerial problems effecting its operations.

From the foregoing therefore, this study will help to bring these managerial problem to light make recommendations on how these managerial problems could be solved and ultimately point out the advantages derivable from an efficient and effective N R C in a development country like ours.

This study will be of immense help to the federal government who has pumped in a lot of money into the corporation of recent. This study will equally bring to light the present situation or position of the corporation to the management and the government in order to rehabilitate, revitalize and revamp the corporation.

Furthermore the study will be an academic pasture to researchers, students and other alike who would want to delve into such a study or even similar studies.