Abstract:
This research work is an outgrowth of my utmost desire and zeal to study the method of recruitment, selection and placement in the Ebony state Civil Service as to find explanation to the problem of public out cry against the declining quality of the Nigeria public service and Ebony state civil service in particular. We also looked into the historical development and organizational service. The use of both primary and secondary information sources is to gather as much information as possible. The primary source of information for the study consists of interview survey. Two hundred members of staff of the Ebonyi State Civil service who are strategically placed in various departmentals/extra ministerial departments were interviewed. The secondary sources of data collection for the study consist of library materials such as textbooks, journal,articles, circulars, publication, approved estimate of Ebonyi state of Nigeria, Schemes of service for use in the civil service of federation of Nigeria, Guidelines for appointments, promotions and discipline in the government of Ebonyi State civil service (CSC/Document No 1 of 2000) etc.The theoretical framework of analysis considered possible and appropriate for the study is the classical Elites Theory. The analysis of the theory shows that the problem of the Ebonyi state civil service stems from the struggle between the political and bureaucratic elites in the state.In addressing the research problem we hypothesized as follows: (a) The more merit is ignored in recruitment, selection and placement, the lower the morale and the less effective the performance of civil service in Ebonyi state.(b) The application of the quota system policy staff recruitment, selection and placement is grossly abused in Ebonyi state civil service. (c) In the placement of staff in the Ebonyi state civil service, individual capability is ranked lower than political patronage. Different types of qualitative statistical tools were used to analyze the data collected. Where a hypothesis demanded the use of documentary evidence for testing, content analysis of data was the dominant tool. Where it involved largely statistical data, we made use of percentages. Central to the findings of this study are: i. On the basis of quota system, people were posted to head sections/departments which by virtue of their training skill and performance, they could not have gotten under merit system. ii. The application of quota system policy in staff recruitment, selection and placement is grossly abused in Ebonyi State civil service. iii. Individual capability is in no form a criterion for placement in Ebonyi state civil service. iv. Ebonyi State civil service is performing below expectation. v. The Ebonyi state civil service is under - staffed. In view of the above findings we propose the following recommendations which we feel can mitigate the problems now and capable of preventing it's future occurrence.i. there is the need for state civil service to base recruitment, selection and placement on merit: reduce political patronage and minimize indiscipline and corrupt practices. ii. The application of the federal character doctrine should be re-examined to ensure that efficiency and effectiveness of the civil service are not compromised through the enthronement of mediocrity into sensitive and strategic positions. iii. There is need to train and retrain the civil servants adequately. iv. We recommended that the present work and study programmes embarked upon by the state government be pursued with vigour.
