PRODUCTION METHODS AND PROBLEMS OF PRODA

            A question might be asked as to why I chose to study and write on the production methods and problems of PRODA. I would like to point out the fact that I was motivated to take up this topic so as to provoke mire academic discussion as a way and means of providing a lasting solution to the numerous and telling problems that usually, if not always, confront business enterprises, more especially, in Nigeria. After due consideration I had the feeling that not much has been contributed in this sphere of study, otherwise, the much talked about production problems would have been minimized, if not eliminated.

Moreover, any person who is aware of the general trends of the performances of the business enterprises in Nigeria that engage in production would, no doubt, see with me that their performance have much to be desired despite the huge amount of resources invested in them and also when one considers the inevitability of production to the economic, social and political survival and development, of any country. Production oriented business enterprises emancipation and social development, have more or less, contributed less. This inefficiency, and ineffectiveness of these business enterprises, is instrumental to Nigeria’s continued dependence on imported goods and services.

Consequent upon the aforementioned, the project development institute, PRODA Enugu, was selected as a reference point to find out the methods and problems it encounters in its production process with a view of making recommendations and lasting solutions.

CHAPTER ONE

1.         INTRODUCTION

1.1       General Perspective! Background of the Subject Matter

One of the outcomes of industrial revolution is the increase in the size of viable businesses.

This, in its wake has brought about a separation, of the traditional role of the owner manager, the erstwhile sole proprietor, into shareholders, who bear the risk of uncertainty and failure and the professional manager charged with the day-to-day running of the business.

A further development is the segmentation of the   management task as the organization grows in size and complexity. Thus, in large organizations, management is primarily segmented into production, personnel administration, marketing and finance. Other differentiations are made as the need arises. But one thing is clear. By whatever name it is known and by whom performed, production management is basic to all organization, naturalistic or formal, manufacturing or service and its activities are critical to the survival of the system.

When we hear the term “Production Management”, many of us think factories production such as automobiles and steel. Certainly, factories require production management, yet other kinds of organizations, also engage in production. In this book “Operations, management,” Barry Shore points out that any organization which transforms inputs into outputs, is engaged in production”. According to Hicks and Cullet, in their book, “Management”, in analyzing the contention of Barry, put it thus!.

As we think about this statement, it becomes clear that almost any organization fits this definitions adding that, for instance, a school takes students inputs and process them through a series of learning experiences, transformation or production and the outputs knowledge or attitude resulting from these learning experiences.