The Disposal Practice of Materials in the Public Sector (The Case of Selected Sub-Cities of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)

Abstract

This paper explores the disposal of unserviceable fixed assets and stock items of public organizations in Bole and Yeka sub-cities of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In line with this, questions have been designed to assess the practice of the system in place, availability of relevant and reliable information for making effective decision of disposal function, and gaps in carrying out disposal functions. The study focused to let management and legislative bodies gain knowledge about the advantage of having efficient and effective periodic disposal of obsolete, surplus, and scrap materials as an integral part of overall properties management. To investigate this, a case study was conducted and data were collected through questionnaires from 28 property management experts, a face-to-face interview with 13 property management unit process owners, observation, and reviewing official documents. The collected data were systematically arranged, organized, and analyzed using SPSS to generate descriptive statistics results (figures-numbers and percentages) presented in tables, and then thematically interpreted. As the survey results revealed, the Heads, Disposal Committee, and Property Management Units of public organizations as well as Regulatory Body have given less attention to disposal functions. As a result, ample long stayed no longer usable fixed assets and stock items have occupied store spaces and shelving equipments, and found under the custody of public organizations of the sub-cities. Shouldering strict responsibility with accountability and applying remedial measures for maintaining the system, carrying out timely efficient and effective disposal, and giving due attention to disposal duty are crucial to secure best value for money, avoid carrying costs, and keep up dedication to accomplish disposal functions in planned way and remove no longer usable materials on time in environmentally friendly and fiscally accountable ways.

Keywords: Disposal function, Unserviceable assets, Obsolete goods, Surplus items, Scrap materials, Carrying Cost