The Impact of Manpower Development on Organizational Efficiency in National Inland Waterways Authority of Nigeria (NIWA)

The manpower deficiency in NIWA, an organization that requires the competence not only to run a profitable transport outfit but also regulate the activities of private operators using the Nigeria Inland Waterways, has been a source of concern to the government over the years more so that the organization is supposed to be a ‘cash cow’ to the Federal Government. This study focussed on the skill-gaps and how they impact on efficiency and specifically interrogated the relationship between staff development and job performance in NIWA. Survey method was used. Primary and secondary data were collected through questionnaire. Three hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Chi Square and Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient statistics were used in data analyses. Among the findings were significant relationship between skill-gaps and inefficiency and poor productivity among NIWA staff; and poor correlation between resources committed to staff development and staff productivity. Among the recommendations is that there should be mechanism for proper assessment of employee performance after training and such performance should be tied to their subsequent promotion on the job.Key Words: Manpower development, skill-gaps, human resources, performance, efficiency