Developing Sets of Labour and Wage Rates for Appropriate Remuneration Review toward Improving Delivery of Electricity Power Project in the South Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

In an effort to address the problem of ineffective power project delivery and poor electricity supply in the south eastern part of Nigeria especially, studies on implications of socio-economic characteristics of the construction skilled labour on effective delivery of electricity in the power sector have reported that remuneration factor among others is very critical for improved electricity power project (EPP) delivery. To confirm the finding, this study therefore investigates the salary and wage rates of the construction professionals and the skilled labour in the government establishments and private firms respectively. Using activity sampling technique, the masonry (block laying) and carpentry trades in the power sector of the south east were investigated. Findings have shown that the average non productive and active times of the trades respectively are at an average ranges of 25% - 37.20% and 62.5% - 75% for the masonry trade; and average of 18.80% - 31.20% and 68.80% - 81.20% for carpentry trade respectively. The study also proves that standard times and standard outputs of the trades respectively stand at 1.37 hr/m2 and 0.75 m2/hr for the masonry trade; and 0.85 hr/m2 and 1.19 m2/hr for carpentry trade respectively. Consequently, the labour rates of the masonry and carpentry trades are estimated at 6 m2 and 9.52 m2 respectively. In an effort to compare the labour rate of the skilled workers in the EPP with those in some major private construction firms and civil service, it was discovered that labour rates of workers in EPP are lesser than the others; likewise the wage rates respectively. Although the labour rate of the skilled labour in EPP are lesser than those in the other places of work, the wage rates of the work trades in EPP are far lesser than the wage rates in the other areas of employment; hence the ratio of the wage rate to labor rates in EPP are significantly lesser than the ratios in the other areas especially, the construction firms in the study area. This study recommends therefore an establishment of a data base framework in the power sector for improved remuneration of the skilled labour that incorporates need based and certified training programme, towards effective delivery of EPP in the south east and Nigeria in general.