Effectiveness of Public Procurement Act (PPA), in Curbing Corruption in the Public Service in Nigeria – A Study of Selected MDAs in FCT,Abuja

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of Public Procurement Act (PPA), 2007 in curbing corruption in public services in Nigeria. The research is prompted by the sheer waste of public resources in the process of public procurements which necessitated the enactment of the PPA in 2007. The operations of the Act requires constant appraisal in order to achieve the desired objectives, hence the main goal of this study. Convenience sampling technique was used to collect data from a sample of 50 staff from 3 select MDA’s operating at the FCT, Abuja. Questionnaires were used to collect data and this was administered through personal delivery. The survey questionnaire measured the different dimensions of corruption in public service in Nigeria. The research design used 2 scales to collect the data. The nominal scale was used to collect personal information about respondents while an open ended questionnaire format was used to measure the response of all dimensions on subject matter .Data analysis was performed with the aid of simple percentages and descriptive statistics. Result obtained establishes that the PPA has helped to curb corrupt practices, improved on transparency and accountability in procurement process. It has minimized discrimination in the awards of contract. It has also helped to facilitate the procurement of works, goods and services in the select MDA’s. Most of the respondents opined that they have adequate value for money in their procurements but that goods and services procured may not have been delivered on time. The major problems confronting procurement practice in some of the select MDA’s include lack of experienced staff and inadequate training. Thus, the study recommends a strong commitment to capacity building and the political will to implement the PPA at all tiers of government in Nigeria. The federal government should be determined in her resolve to fight corruption. This is very crucial for an effective public procurement practice in Nigeria