AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PERFORMANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE NIGERIAN RAILWAY CORPORATION, 1975 - 1985
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PERFORMANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE NIGERIAN RAILWAY CORPORATION, 1975 - 1985
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Date
2005-10
Authors
OMONIWA, MOSES ADEKUNLE
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Abstract
The main purpose of the study was to identify the factors behind NCR's
inefficiency and ineffectiveness since independence in spite of government's efforts,
which included the transfer of its management to RITES in 1979. Secondly, the studywas
to make recommendations that could turn around the fortunes of the Nigerian
Railways as a major transport system in Nigeria.
The study identified and investigated some basic factors, which were crucial to
the efficient functioning of the Nigerian Railway system, especially since the post
independence era. Some of the factors include: the level of funding and sources of the
funds, the condition of the roiling stock - locomotives, coaches and wagons: the rail
routes capacity, intermodal allocation of funds within the transport sector, competition
and co-ordination of the transport sector, stability of the socio-economic and political
environment of the NRC; dependence on foreign technology' and expertise, government's
interference in the day-to-day operations of the Railways, government's transport policies
since independence; etc.
The study was conducted at the National headquarters of the NRC in Lagos and at
three other district headquarters located at Ibadan, Enugu and Zaria. A total of 213
respondents were drawn from the staff consisting of 78 management and 135 nonmanagement.
Stratified and proportional sampling techniques were used in selecting the
sample.
The study focuses, essentially on the period 1975 - 1985, which was sub-divided into
three periods. Pre-RTTES, 1975 - 1978, RITES, 1979 - 1982 and post RITES 1982 -
1985. Through this approach, we were able to do a comparative analysis on the
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management and performance of the NRC, covering the period 1975 - 1985. A
discussion of the Pre-Independence era of the Nigerian Railways has been provided
because of its importance to the study. Some of the findings of this study include:-
1. That at the heart of the NCR's inefficiency is government's failure to pay for the
social services rendered by the NRC.
2. That the developments in the Road sub-sector have minimised the importance of the
NRC in the economic life of the nation and also its efficiency.
3. That government's wrong assessment of NCR's problem has also led to government's
formulating and implementing ineffective policies.
4. That there are other problems that effect the performance of the NRC apart from
management.
5. That the NRC suffers directly and indirectly from the lack of a National Transport
policy as well as a Railway policy.
6. That approved funds were not released to the NRC thereby increasing its inefficiency,
and
7. That the failure of RITES to improve the efficiency of the NRC represents
government's poor response in terms of policy decision.
The study put forward some proposals, which if accepted and implemented could lead
to improve rail services and revenues, generated by the NRC. Other proposals include
improved funding, modernization of rail tracks, rolling stock and equipment, gradual
commercialization and privatisation of the NRC; and a complete overhauling of the NRC
and the Nigerian Railways.
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Finally, there was a call on the government to have a clear definition of the main goal
of the Nigerian Railways: profitability or social services and that where it is necessary to
render national service the corporation should be fully paid or compensated. Failure to do
this will continue to militate against the efficiency of the NRC.
Description
A Thesis submitted to the Postgraduate School, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in
Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the award of the Doctor of Philosophy in
Public Administration.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY,
ZARIA, NIGERIA
OCTOBER, 2000
Keywords
ASSESSMENT,, PERFORMANCE,, MANAGEMENT,, NIGERIAN,, RAILWAY,, CORPORATION, 1975 - 1985