Abstract

This research study tries to investigate the management problems of public enterprises, a case study of power holding company of Nigeria (PHCN). One of the major objectives of any government is a stable growth and development of the country through industrialization. One of the avenues through which this is achieved is by the establishment of public enterprises. PHCN, being public enterprises, the research has undertaken to investigate how much it has contributed to the general growth and development of Nigeria and also investigate any managerial problem, objectives of the study and hypotheses. Chapter two talk about the review of the literature on the topic. Chapter three is about the research methodology, chapter four talk about analysis and interpretation of data. Chapter five contains conclusions. Followed by recommendations to the management of PHCN. It is the believe of the researcher that this research work will be of great benefit- to the management of PHCN and other public enterprises that may have similar problems

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

Certification Page                                                    ii

Dedication                                                             iii

Acknowledgement                                                  iv

Abstract                                                                v

Table of content                                                     vi

CHAPTER ONE

1. Introduction                                                    1

1.1  Background of the study                                   1

1.2  Statement of the problem                                 6

1.3  Objectivities of the study                                         7

1.4  Research questions                                          8

1.5  Significance of the study                                   8

1.6  Scope of the study                                           8

1.7  Limitation of study                                           9

1.8  Definition of terms                                           10

CHAPTER TWO

• Literature Review                                             13

2.1  Introduction                                                    13

2.2  The concept and purpose of public enterprise             14

2.3  History and growth of public enterprise               19

2.4  Structure of the public enterprise                       21

2.5  The problem of public enterprise                        29

2.6  Economic factors                                             30

2.7  Financial problem/ mismanagement                   33

2.8  Political factors                                                       35

2.9  Ethnicity problem                                            37

2.10 Nigeria work attitudes                                      39

2.11 Administration factors                                      40

2.12 Operational technical factors                             43

CHAPTER THREE

• Research design and methodology                     48

3.1  Introduction                                                    48

3.2  Research design                                              49

3.3` Sources / methods of data collection                  49

3.4  Population and sample size                               50

3.5  Sample techniques                                           50

3.6  Validity and reliability of measuring instrument    52

3.7  Method of data analysis                                    53

CHAPTER FOUR

• Presentation and analysis of data                       55

4.1  Introduction                                                    55

4.2  Presentation of data                                                55

4.3  Analysis of data                                               57

4.4  Interpretation of result                                     65

CHAPTER FIVE

• Summary, conclusion and recommendation         66

5.1  Introduction                                                    66

5.2  Summary                                                       66

5.3  Conclusion                                                      69

5.4  Recommendation                                             70

References                                                             72

Appendix

CHAPTER ONE

1.0  INTRODUCTION

1.1  BACKGROUND OF STUDY

       In any developing economy, the government is the main initiator and promoter economic development, especially in Nigeria. In developing countries, government usually intervene some areas of the economic in which the private sector cannot perform, according to Abubakar (1986) in order to facilitate the federal government has instituted and made use of many public enterprises over the years.

       It would be recalled however that in the fifties and sixties, agriculture was the main stay of the Nigerian economy. The early seventies earned for Nigeria loge include all revenue at all level that never was anticipated. This new dimension got government involved more with widely diversified investments in areas that span both the traditional public sector and exclusive private sector business.

As a result of this development include oil, agriculture that was the main stay of our economy was later given less attention. Owing to this circumstance, the government investments were sponsored mostly by the oil revenues. The oil boom era (1974-1979) has been described as the golden era for public investment. The government invested in over 30 parastatals and companies within this period. Most of them have been unprofitable; some cannot even meet their operating costs and have depended on government subventions for their year to year survival.  Public co-operations in Nigeria have been considered inefficient and wistful; this is because they have viewed it with the profit criterion. Kindleberger (1986) however Hinks that this is not a fair judgment, economic activities, it is usually not appropriate to use the performance standard of the private sector they are hoses is different colours, the objective of private business is profit, while the government enterprises is seines to the society or promotion of general welfare.

Olisa (1985) said that prior to independent and after Nigeria was faced with the problem of attaining her social economic objectives, there was no well destined capitalist class that could operate the much needed development through their productive and industrializing activities. The civil service as that time was inappropriate for accelerated development and the country was saddened with the problem of running many businesses.

These parastatals are established out side the civil services and this allows for greater freedom of action, quicker decision making which will promote their efficiency and effectiveness. These corporations are managed through government appointed officials who could utilize the profits accruing from their operations in catering for the public interest (onwudunm: 1970). (Ugwu: 1990) said that in Nigeria, it is very unfortunate that government have rapid development and this is because the management of these enterprises have constituted the bane of these enterprises.

Most of them failed to meet people’s expectations in terms of provision of goods and services and development in general. The commercially oriented ones neither make profit nor even sustain themselves. All efforts by successive government yield no positive result despite various commissions of inquiring and review parties.

The performance of these enterprises still fall shorts of peoples expectations. It is based on this hat the researcher finds the needs to investigate these problems in power holding company of Nigeria (PHCN).