Implementation of Public Procurement Act and Government Performance: Evidence from Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines the influence of implementation of public procurement Act on government performance in Nigeria. Specifically, the study determines the extent of compliance with the Public Procurement Act, identifies factors affecting compliance with the Public Procurement Act and also examines the influence of implementation of the Public Procurement Act on government performance. Judgmental sampling technique was used to select 20 Procurement Officers in Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and Local Government Areas; 20 Accounting Officers from Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Agencies and Parastatal Organizations; 20 contractors, 20 Professionals-Quantity surveyor, 20 architects and engineers, and 20 Lawyers totaling 120 respondents as sample size for the study. Structured questionnaires designed for the study were used to collect the data. Analyzed data was performed with the aid of descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The result establishes that public entities comply with the public procurement Act 2007, but lack of structures and facilities to ease procurement process and pervading corruption in Nigeria have hindered the full implementation of the Act. Furthermore, the study concludes that the implementation of the public procurement Act is a catalyst to transparency, accountability, efficiency, and value for money. Subsequently, the study recommends that there should be strong commitment and political will to implement the public procurement Act in all levels of government. This will metamorphose to transparency, competitiveness, accountability, and fairness in the award of government contracts.