Workers’ Productivity Linked to Commuting Distance, Says Yabatech Lecturer
A study conducted by Dr. John Okesoto, a Chief Lecturer at Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), has revealed a correlation between the distance to a worker’s workplace and his or her productivity. According to Dr. Okesoto, the distance between a worker’s residence and workplace has a significant impact on their ability to perform their duties effectively.
Speaking during Yabatech’s 15th Inaugural Lecture Series for 2024, Dr. Okesoto emphasized the need for governments to provide affordable staff quarters near offices to enable workers to access their workplaces with ease and be more productive. He also suggested that employers consider providing staff quarters through public/private partnership.
The chief lecturer used the metaphor of “The Poor, the Pot, and the Bed” to explain the concept. He defined “the poor” as the low-working income group, “the pot” as the workplace, and “the bed” as housing. Dr. Okesoto explained that the distance between a worker’s home and workplace directly impacts their choices of location for their homes and, subsequently, their ability to commute to work.
The study found that many poor workers live far from their workplaces because they cannot afford housing near their workplaces, resulting in negative impacts on the gross domestic product as well as the carbon footprint of the environment.
The Rector of Yabatech, Dr. Ibraheem Abdul, commended Dr. Okesoto for his insightful lecture, highlighting the importance of addressing the complex issues that affect the well-being of citizens in urban areas. Dr. Abdul noted that the lecture presented an opportunity to explore the interplay between wealth and poverty and to examine the societal structures that impact the lives of city inhabitants.
Dr. Okesoto is a Member of the Nigeria Institute of Town Planners and has written over 69 conference papers, contributed to 63 journals, and edited four books.
NAN
