Public Perception of Probity (Luke 3:12-14) in Public Service and Its Impact on Sustainable Development in Benue State

Abstract

Probity as an obligation to public servants is a tenet that must be adhered to for a sustainable development to ensue. Apparently, unlike the private sector, the public sector is bound to be accountable to the public and subject to audit and political scrutiny. Therefore, standards of acceptable conduct cannot be compromised; and as such, public service needs to demonstrate probity in all its endeavors. The study examined the public perception of probity (Luke 3:12-14) in Public Service and its impact on Sustainable Development in Benue State. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. The target population of study was Civil Servants who constitute bulk of the Public Service in Benue State. Sample size of 378 from the population was drawn using sample size table; and Random sampling technique was used in selecting the subjects for the study. Mean and standard deviation will be used in achieving the research objectives for the study and Chi-Square in testing the hypotheses formulated at 0.05 significance level. The study discovered that the public perceived probity to be complete honesty, truthfulness, reliability, good, honest, moral excellence, integrity, rectitude, uprightness and conscientiousness of public servants, which has positive impact on sustainable development. It was therefore, recommended that governments and stakeholders should encourage public servants to avoid corrupt practices that demonstrate lack of probity in public service. Moreover, it was also recommended that the church should do more in sermonizing its members who are mostly public servants on scriptures such as Luke 3:12-14 and other similar scriptures to enforce probity in public service in Benue State.