Conflict Management in Local Government Service

Conflict Management in Local Government Service

Abstract of Conflict Management in Local Government Service

This research study is to investigate the conflict management in local government. Service with particular reference to Ojo local government being the local government use as a case study for this work. Conflict management 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 Ojo local government area total number of one number (100) 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 management in the local government is the fundamental phenomenon that effect the performance of the local government management its employee.

Chapter One of Conflict Management in Local Government Service

INTRODUCTION

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 management may be planned and formal or unplanned and verbal or physical ranging from passive resistance to active aggression.

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 management 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.

Conflict management 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.

BRIEF HISTORY OF OJO LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Ojo local government was carved out of Badagry local government in May, 1989. Until October I, 1996, when two other local governments namely Amuwo – Odofin and AjeromiIfelodun local governments were created, it was the most population of 1.01m by the 1991 national population census provisional figure.

With the creation of Amuwo-Odofin and Ajeromi/Ifelodum local governments, there were boundary adjustments. As at now, the local government shares boundaries with Badagry local government at Oto with the Ologe lagoon forming a natural boundary on its southwest flask. It is bounded in the East by Amuwo-Odofin local government, in the North by Alimosho local government and in the south by the lagoon.

Ojo houses the Alaba International Market, which is the largest electronics, electrical parts, and allied material market in the West Africa Sub-Region.

Currently, Ojo local government Area is divided into 11 Electoral Wards, which are represented by councilors under the leadership of Apostle Solomon Ajibola Akin- Aina as Executive chairman.

Local Government Administration

Local government in the federation over the year have gone through various reforms, particularly during the regime of Generals Ibraham Babangida and Sani Abacha when local governments had their political functionaries either elected or appointed and enjoyed autonomy.

The present political functionaries at the local government level were elected on April, 2003 on party basis. However, the elected functionaries assumed office on June 1, 2003 having been sworn-in by the Executive governor of Lagos state, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The 1999 constitution, which is the operational statue book for the fourth republic, put the control of local government administration under the state government, this led o he passing of bill on local government into law on October 4, 1999 in Lagos state. The law provided for a total separation of the executive and legislative powers at the local government level. ‘ Thus empowering the chairmen to appoint members of their executive committee i.e. the supervisors and the secretary to the local government, while the elected constitute the legislative arm.

The Executive Arm

At the top of the Executive Arm is the chairman of the local government who is the chief Executive and accounting office. Other members are the Vice-chairman, supervisors and secretary to the local government as appointed by the chairman and top officers in the service of the local government. The supervisors are the political heard of department. The executive arm is largely responsible for policy formulation, control of finances and award of contracts, among other.

The Legislative Arm

The legislative arm comprises the elected councilors with a leader and the Deputy elected from among he councilors. The legislative arm also has a council clerk who takes care of the proceeding of the council and its general administration. The leader presides over the council meetings.

The legislative council among other function debates amends and approves and advises the chairman when necessary.