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The Native Railway Worker in Nigeria
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 August 2012
Extract
A Survey of the Nigerian Railway workers would constitute a record of every tribe living in the southern and northern provinces, inasmuch as the government-owned and controlled railway, extending over 1,892½ miles of territory, employs natives of the various tribes in each of its four departments. As these native workers show ability they are gradually permitted to fill posts when they become vacant that were formerly held by Europeans. During the year ending March 31st, 1934, despite drastic measures of economy to meet financial conditions and the lessening of the European staff by twenty-three officials, the number of Africans employed has increased by slightly over 900, mostly in the labouring class.
Résumé
LA MAIN-D'ŒUVRE INDIGÈNE DANS LES CHEMINS DE FER DE LA NIGÉRIA
Cet article est consacré à la main-d'œuvre indigène employée dans les chemins de fer placés sous le contrôle du Gouvernement dans les Provinces méridionales et septentrionales de la Nigéria.
La première partie comporte une note sur les différentes voies ferrées, des statistiques montrant la proportion croissante d'indigènes employés, par rapport au nombre des Européens; les chiffres des indigènes en service dans toutes les sections des différentes activités des chemins de fer ainsi que dans les entreprises connexes; enfin des informations sur les transports automobiles et les mines de charbon Udi et Iva. L'éducation des employés indigènes est discutée ainsi que les méthodes d'enseignement qui ont été employées durant la période de restriction qui a motivé la fermeture de plusieurs écoles. L'article fournit ensuite des détails sur les salaires payés dans chaque division pour le personnel indigène. Cette première partie se termine par une appréciation formulée par les dirigeants de chaque service sur le travail des indigènes.
La seconde partie traite de l'ouvrier comme individu. 3.000 questionnaires ont été envoyés dans les différentes catégories d'ouvriers des chemins de fer dans le but de déterminer l'extension de l'influence européenne sur la vie et la civilisation des indigenès. II résulte de cette enquête que: 1° Le plus grand nombre des employés appartient aux tribus Yoruba, Ibo et Haoussa. 2° Les employés des services supérieurs doivent subir des examens avant d'y être admis, mais aucune éducation préalable n'est exigée pour la main-d'œuvre ordinaire. 3° En ce qui touche la religion, la proportion des Chrétiens par rapport aux musulmans est de 3 à 1. On compte aussi quelques païens et un certain nombre d'individus sans religion. 4° Pour la nourriture, la plupart des ouvriers préfèrent l'alimentation indigène. 5° Les maisons sont généralement mises à la disposition du personnel indigène par le chemin de fer, elles sont done de type européen. 6° Les jeux sportifs europeens jouissent déune grande vogue. 7° Tout ce personnel ambitionne une meilleure position et un salaire plus élevé, en fait très peu sont capables ou désireux d'assumer la responsabilité qui est attachée à ces postes.
- Type
- Research Article
- Information
- Copyright
- Copyright © International African Institute 1936
References
page 379 note 1 The Annual Report of the Nigerian Railway for the year ending March 31st, 1934, gives the mileage as 1,905 miles; but this figure includes all sidings to colliery, &c, which I have not included in my computation.
The Government cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy of any matter quoted from Annual Reports or other public documents.
page 379 note 2 On the outskirts of Lagos and separated from that city by only the Lagoon, over which the new Carter bridge—a magnificent engineering structure for any country—was opened by Lady Cameron in 1932.
page 380 note 1 The total output showed a decrease over the previous year of 64, 133 tons, or approximately 20 per cent. The average output per shift per person above and below ground of 17·4 cwt. compares favourably with the per shift per person output of 21·78 cwt. during the same period in British mines where the facilities provided for the miner are more modern.
page 380 note 2 Diesel engines are now being installed in all these vans.
page 381 note 1 From 1930, except for two months in 1931, the technical school at Ebute Metta workshops has been closed, and it is doubtful if classes will be held again in any of the technical schools in the Colony until financial conditions are very much improved.
page 383 note 1 Since the above was written the school at Zaria has been re-opened to provide for the northern boys who wish to qualify in the traffic department.
page 383 note 2 Probationers may not be appointed until they have a School Leaving Certificate of Class III Middle (Secondary Form I) or higher class, signed by a Superintendent of Education. After their appointment they must serve as probationers for three years before being appointed second-class clerks if they satisfy the head of their department in regard to their ability and conduct. When clerks have completed one year at £78 per annum they must submit to a searching written and oral examination on their work. Further promotion depends on the result of this examination coupled with good conduct.
page 385 note 1 This man has been transferred to the Accounts department.
page 393 note 1 As the Traffic Training School at Zaria turns out its finished students, the Hausa and other northern tribesmen will be able to compete in scholarship with their more fortunate southern neighbours.
page 394 note 1 Foreign indicates natives of colonies or places outside Nigeria.
page 394 note 2 KC: Kano, ZRX: Zaria, KNR: Kaura Namoda, MX: Minna, BX: Baro, JBA: Jebba, EBJ: Ebute Metta, the general offices and chief railway centre, DD: Iddo, IB: Ibadan, OF: Offa, PH: Port Harcourt, EN: Enugu, KAF: Kaffanchan, KDJ: Kaduna Junction.
page 395 note 1 Many of the workers put the Standard they had passed without signifying whether the school was government, mission, grammar, or other school.