Conflict Resolution In Nigeria Local Government System

This research study is to investigate the conflict resolution in Nigeria local government system with particular reference to Akoko Edo local government area being the local government use as a case study for this work. conflict resolution is very crucial in the achievement of each other actually when there are employer over some issues like condition of work or condition of employment. The local government, which is the third tier of the executive arm of government, is established to meet the welfare the local people. The ubiquitous presence of conflict can hinder the local government constitutional duties. The activities of various social groups in the local government. If not effectively controlled or managed can be costly in terms performance &,reputation. The instrument used to carryout this study effectively was the questionnaire which was administered to the staff of Akoko Edo local government Area area total number of 64 questionnaire, were administered which the hypotheses using percentage while the hypothesis was tested with he chi-square statistics. The result and funding of the study reveal that conflict resolution in the local government is the fundamental phenomenon that effect the performance of the local government management its employee.

Introduction

1.1 Background to the Study

The term conflict specifically means breakdown of relationship between parties and this was corroborated by oxford English dictionary definition in which conflict was defined as a serious disagreement, on argument, a struggle, a fight. The history of mankind cannot be devoid of conflict from the primordial age to the era of communal capitalism, feudalism up to the present.

A lot of attempts were recorded in capturing various sources of conflict and how it can be effectively managed. In every organization where people of different backgrounds and interest have , to interact in the collective effort towards achieving a common goal, conflict is bound to take place. This is because every member of the organization comes from different places, background and brings to the workplaces his own personal interest, ambition, which he/she earnestly desires to achieve along organizational goals. These individual goals may not necessarily be compatible with that of other members and as a result of this conflict will definitely come up in the organization:
conflict resolution may be planned and formal or unplanned and verbal or physical ranging from passive resistance to active aggression.

Adam, J. and Kamuzora F (2008) said Conflict takes place between individuals and between groups, between distinct organizations or groups within an organization and conflict no doubt is an important element of social interaction and apart from being a "negative " factor that "tear apart" conflict may contribute in many way to the maintenance of groups and collectivities as well as the cementing of inter personal relations. A conflict is therefore endemic. It is common knowledge that an organization needs peaceful co-existence for survival, which may be threatened by conflict.? conflict resolution is very crucial in the achievement of organization goals for proper understanding of each other actually when there are disagreement between the employees and employers over some issues like conditions of employment etc. Karl Marx and some scholars say that industrialization is a mixed blessing, which has brought prosperity, strike and dispute in industries. It is unthinkable to find any organization without conflict.

The local government, which is the third tier of the Executive arm of government, is established to meet the welfare needs of the local people. Although the various local councils in the country were created in the early 50s to perform localized functions and to bring government closer to the people, the purpose of local government is essentially to promote democracy at the grassroots level and ensure service delivery. A local government system may be recognized as either a single - tier or multi-tier local government. It is single tier if it performs all the functions assigned to a local government within its area of jurisdiction and it is multi tier, if two or more local councils share responsibility for local services within a given local territory. The management structure of local government takes the form of mayoral or mayor - council model. The mayor (chairman) is a weak mayor, as he does not have the power to appoint, remove and supervise the entire administrative staff. The ubiquitous presence of conflict can hinder the local government in discharge of its constitutional duties.

The activities of various social groups in the local government if not effectively controlled or managed can be costly in terms performance and reputation. In fact any organization without conflict is as good as dead. Conflict can only be dysfunctional or harmful where there is no machinery that is put growth of the organization, Babbie, E. (2007).

Conflict resolution expressed in what ever form pose cost to all industrial relations actors, certain machinery have to put in place for emerged overtime and new approaches are being worked out to reduce the effect of conflict in both public and organized private sector in order to prevent the development of all forms of costly expression of industrial discontents.

1.2 Statement of Research Problem

Conflict as expressed in strike and other from industrial action including peaceful negotiation seem to be more evident and prevalent in unionized organization. Workers do not have recognition of unionized organization. In non-unionized organization workers do not have recognition of common front to protect collective interest, and as a consequence of the absence of consensus opinion, management is expected to be with a barrage of individual workers demand, which naturally would be very difficult, is manage, Aula, P., & Siira, K. (2010).

The situation which is expected to be more conflict prone is paradoxically more peaceful even when conflict in all ramification is considered in unionized organization trade union support for workers in exercise of their power arising from group dynamic has been deplored by employers as being dysfunctional is an ideal peaceful industrial environment employers believe that minor dispute which would have been settled in- house are blown out of proportion by unions, and the notion of unions insistence on cost involving elaborate grievance procedure is concern to employers.

1.3 Objective of Study

The purpose of this study is to examine in clear terms the specific cause of conflict in a local government service. It would attempt to establish modern management techniques of conflict resolution.

To identify the possible causes of conflict in Akoko Edo local government Area of Edo state.

To determine the nature of conflicts in Akoko Edo local government Area and its attendant effects on socio-economic development of the area.

To determine the possible strategies of managing conflict in Akoko Edo local government Area of Edo state

To identify the impact, the various strategies conflict resolution will have on performance of Akoko Edo local government Area.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions were asked to guide the study

What are the possible causes of conflict in Akoko Edo local government Area of Edo state?

What are the possible strategies of managing conflict in Akoko Edo local government Area of Edo state in other to improve performance.?

What are the nature of conflicts in Akoko Edo local government Area and its attendant effects on socio-economic development of the area?

What are the impacts of conflict resolution on performance in Akoko Edo local government Area of Edo state?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

In other to achieve the objectives of this study, the following hypothesis were formulated;

There is no significant relationship between effective conflict resolution and performance of Akoko Edo local government Area.

There is no significant relationship between conflict resolution and socio-economic development in Akoko Edo local government Area.

There is no significant relationship between effective conflict resolution and causes of conflict in Akoko Edo local government Area..

1.6 Significance of Study

This study is expected to establish specific cause of conflict in a local government service and how it effect can be mitigated. It would give manager of the organization insight on the forms of conflict in their organization and enhance their ability to manage such conflict.

The employee of local government and tend to benefit from the research most especially Akoko Edo local government Area workers because the research would practically establish the benefit of organization harmony thereby ensuring their job security the research would also be beneficial in the area of research exercise for would be researcher. The study will also help to fashion out an understanding of the causes, nature and resolution of the conflict.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The scope of the study focuses on the conflict resolution in nigeria local government system. This local government area is chosen because of ease in accessibility and also being local government area with diverse goals. The limitation of the study is due to insufficient financial resources, time and materials that have hindered the researcher from travelling to every part of Akoko Edo local government Area in other to source for vital information from Areas that have experience one form of conflict or the other.

1.8 Limitation of the Study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. However, the researcher were able to manage these just to ensure the success of this study.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Conflict:

This is defined as serious disagreement, an argument, a struggle, a fight.

Management:

This is defined as the art of getting things done through people.

Local Government:

This is defined as the vehicle for dynamic rural development and the third tier of the Executive arm of government.

1.10 Organization of the Study

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows.

Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study.

Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature.

Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study.

Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.

Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.

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