(a) List five functions of the public service. (b) Highlight five problems of the public service
Explanation
(a) (i) It assists in the formulation of policies/programmes of government.
(ii) It assists the government to mobilise/collect revenue/funds through taxes/rates/levies.
(iii) It collects and supplies vital information/ date on government activities and programmes.
(iv) It keeps records of government properties and transactions.
(v) It advises the political heads of government institutions such as President, Governors, Ministers, Commissioners, etc. on policymaking and implementations.
(vi) It implements policies and programmes of government.
(vii) It ensures continuity/smooth transition of power from one political regime to another.
(viii) It enlightens the public on government policies and programmes.
(ix) It carries out delegated legislative functions on behalf of the government.
(x) It provides job opportunities/employment for citizens.
(xi) It conducts research in new areas of government policies, programmes and activities.
(xii) It assists in preparing the budget. (xiii) It provides social services for the people.
(xiv) It represents the government in important fora at local, national, and international levels.
(xiv) It performs quasi-judicial functions.
(b) (i) Inadequate training facilities: The Nigerian public service lacks adequate training facilities for staff improvement of skill. They have to send many of the staff abroad for more training and some of the staff end up not returning.
(ii) Corruption: The effectiveness of the public service has been slowed down by bribery and corruption to the extent that public servants fail to perform their official duties as they look forward to bribery before carrying out their jobs.
(iii) Inconsistency of government policies: In Nigeria, a change of government many times means changes in policies.
(iv) Bureaucratic red-tapism. This refers to excessive use of formalities in the public service, which militates against its effectiveness.
(v) Tribalism: This has been the yardstick for choosing whom to employ and sack in the Nigerian public service.
(vi) Negative attitude to work: Public servants regard their job as government work that does not require any seriousness.
(vii) Political instability: Constant and regular change of top rank office holders in public service brings about constant instability of rules and regulations. This constantly leads to shortcomings in the public service.
(viii) Political interference: Different governments in power do not allow the free flow of duties due to their undue interferences which most times are only favourable to politicians.
(ix) Lack of qualified personnel: Most personnel in various public service offices either neglect their right jobs or have little or no experience with the jobs but carry out such services due to their search for greener pasture.
(x) Waste of manpower and resources: This is another form of over-staffing which leads to duplication of offices in the ministries. It is a waste of manpower and resources when the public service pays excess money for little efforts since there would be no much job for them to carry out in their various offices.
(xi) Nepotism: This is the act of public servants favouring relatives or friends, especially by giving them jobs.