Appraisal of the Implementation of Public Procurement Policy in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Public procurement operates at different strata of governance and laden with challenges at implementation. The implementation of the Public Procurement Act (PPA), 2007, in Nigeria, has been noted to suffer from some lapses. Such lapses will only come on board at various levels (state and local) of governance where they have enacted their laws and regulatory authorities. Objectives: The study aims to appraise the level of implementation of public procurement policy to provide information on its performance in Kaduna State.  Methods: A quantitative approach was adopted to appraise the level of the implementation of public procurement policy in the study area. The population for the study totaled 100 (one hundred), drawn from employees in the procurement offices of ministries, departments and agencies within the study area. Through simple random sampling, data obtained from 81 (eight-one) respondents, were analysed using the mean item score (MIS), ranking and deductive analysis via SPSS. Results: The level of awareness of the implementation of public procurement policy differs according to the hierarchy (senior, middle, and junior) of employees. The study also found that poor procurement training, political interference, the mismatch between budgetary appropriation and the actual release of funds, coupled with capacity shortages constitute major militating challenges against the optimum implementation of the policy. Conclusion: In other to address the myriad of challenges, it will be important for the Bureau of procurement to develop a clear timetable and programmes for tackling problems of shortage of technical capacity for public procurement.   

Keywords: Appraisal, implementation, public procurement, policy, Nigeria