Low Income Workers and Poverty among Rivers State Civil service, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of low income on service delivery among civil servants in Rivers State, Nigeria. Utilizing a descriptive research design, the study explores how low income affects key aspects of civil servants' work, including motivation, service quality, poverty levels, and ethical behavior. The target population for this study consists of 46,188 civil servants in the Rivers State Civil Service, with a sample size of 380 determined using Krejcie and Morgan's table for sample size determination. A simple random sampling technique was employed to select participants, and both primary and secondary data sources were utilized for data collection. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data and address the research questions. The findings reveal significant negative relationships between low income, poverty, and service delivery. Specifically, low income was found to reduce civil servants' motivation and service quality, while also exacerbating poverty levels and fostering unethical practices. Furthermore, low income was shown to correlate with reduced service delivery, highlighting the need for better remuneration. Based on these findings, the study recommends increasing salaries and benefits for civil servants to alleviate poverty and improve service quality. Additionally, it advocates for investments in professional development programs and job satisfaction initiatives to enhance employee morale and performance. Overall, the study underscores the importance of addressing the structural issues that contribute to low income in order to improve public service delivery in Rivers State. The results suggest that targeted policy reforms aimed at improving the working conditions of civil servants are essential for enhancing the effectiveness of the public sector.
