Civil Servants and the Inconsistency of Government in Payment of Workers’ Monthly Salary in Anambra State
Chapter One
Objective of the study
- To identify the underlying factors contributing to the inconsistent payment of salaries to civil servants in Anambra State.
- To assess the direct and indirect effects of inconsistent salary payments on the financial well-being, job satisfaction, and overall morale of civil servants in Anambra State.
- To investigate the broader social and economic consequences of inconsistent salary payments, focusing on the potential ripple effects on families, local communities, and public services in Anambra State.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEWED OF RELATED LITERATURE
Conceptualization of Civil Service
The concept, „Civil Service,‟ usually designates government employment, for which a person qualifies on the basis of merit rather than political patronage or personal favour. The term, Civil Service, when traced to its Latin roots means „Service of the State‟ (Nadel, 1942). In the British model, the term Civil Service depicts two sets of ideas. First, it refers to the body of permanent officials appointed to assist the political executives in formulating and implementing governmental policies. In the second sense, the Civil Service refers to the Ministries and Departments within which specific aspects of government work are carried out (Ademolekun, 2002). In the Nigerian context, „Civil Service implies Service of the Federation or of a State in a Ministry or Department based on appointment by the Civil Service Commission’ (Dike, 1985: 8). 22 The Civil Service could also be defined more technically as, a large scale organization of permanent government paid officials, who are recruited in a civil capacity by the Civil Service Commission and charged with the responsibility of exercising the executive authority of government, and achieving the complex objectives of government (Obialor, 2007). Civil Service employees, often called civil servants or public employees, work in a variety of fields such as teaching, sanitation, health care, management, and administration for the Federal, State or Local Government. The Civil Service is a bureaucratic organization structured under the principle of hierarchy. Its hierarchical structure delineates power centers, lines of command and communication which follow orderly fashion. The hierarchy is patterned in such a way as to ensure unity of command and facilitate coordination and control in the entire system. The Civil Service hierarchical structure promotes order and enhances effectiveness, if properly managed (Ogunna, 1999). The Civil Service is the subset of the Public Service System. In this usage, Public Service means the totality of services that are organized under public (i.e., government) authority. Therefore, in addition to covering the Civil Service in the strict sense of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Public Service also covers local governments, the military and other security forces, the judiciary, and the legislature (Ademolekun, 2002). Public employees are categorically referred to as public servants because they are paid from a central budget funded by the taxes paid by citizens and the revenue accruing from the sale of public property. Thus, Public Sector Reforms could be viewed as actions aimed at getting the best value – in terms of functional efficiency – for public resources used in maintaining public institutions
Functions and Importance of the Civil Service
Governments depend greatly on their Civil Service and her employees to be able to govern. The importance of the Civil Service can be readily felt when it comes to policy making, fiscal management (such as, revenue generation and budgeting), and providing access to public goods and services. According to Ogunna (1999), the most important function of the Civil Service is the implementation of the policies and programmes approved by the executive. In his view, policies and programmes are mere intentions and proposals of the political masters until the Civil Service puts them into practical realities.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine civil servants and the inconsistency of government in payment of workers’ monthly salary in Anambra state. Anambra state civil servants form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain civil servants and the inconsistency of government in payment of workers’ monthly salary in Anambra state. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing civil servants and the inconsistency of government in payment of workers’ monthly salary in Anambra state
Summary
This study was on civil servants and the inconsistency of government in payment of workers’ monthly salary in Anambra state. Four objectives were raised which included: To identify the underlying factors contributing to the inconsistent payment of salaries to civil servants in Anambra State, to assess the direct and indirect effects of inconsistent salary payments on the financial well-being, job satisfaction, and overall morale of civil servants in Anambra State and to investigate the broader social and economic consequences of inconsistent salary payments, focusing on the potential ripple effects on families, local communities, and public services in Anambra State. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were civil servants. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the study on the inconsistency in government payment of civil servants’ monthly salaries in Anambra State sheds light on critical challenges faced by the dedicated workforce and identifies potential pathways toward resolution. The findings highlight the multifaceted nature of the issue, encompassing financial, administrative, and systemic factors that contribute to the irregular disbursement of salaries.
The investigation into the root causes revealed a complex interplay of financial mismanagement, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and budgetary constraints within the governance structure of Anambra State. These factors, combined with external economic pressures, contribute to the recurring problem of delayed and inconsistent salary payments.
The impact on civil servants is substantial, affecting their financial well-being, job satisfaction, and overall morale. The ripple effects extend to the broader community, influencing social and economic dynamics. The erosion of trust in government institutions emerges as a significant consequence, underscoring the need for urgent intervention to rebuild and strengthen the relationship between the government and its workforce.
Recommendation
- Implement measures to strengthen financial management practices within government departments. This includes regular financial audits, the adoption of modern accounting systems, and the establishment of robust financial controls to ensure efficient and transparent use of financial resources.
- Enhance the budgetary planning process to align with the financial needs of the state and its workforce. This involves conducting thorough assessments of financial requirements for salary payments, ensuring adequate budget allocations, and incorporating flexibility to accommodate unforeseen economic challenges.
- Institute a transparent and accountable salary disbursement system that minimizes delays and ensures consistency. Utilize technology to streamline the payroll process, implement direct deposit systems, and establish clear communication channels to keep civil servants informed about payment schedules
References
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