Procurement Policies and Organisational Efficiency in Public Institutions in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT This study was done to establish the relationship between quality of procurement policies and extent of efficiency in public institutions of Nasarawa State in Nigeria. It was based on four specific objectives, which included determining the i) the quality of procurement policies; ii) the extent of efficiency; iii) significant difference in the quality of procurement policies and extent of efficiency and iv) relationship between the quality of procurement policies and extent of efficiency in public institutions of Nasarawa State. The study employed a descriptive comparative, correlational and a cross-sectional survey design, to collect data from 360 procurement staff, purposively selected from four selected public institutions, using a self made questionnaire. Analysis was done using frequency counts, means and standard deviations, One-Way ANOVA and Pearson’s Linear Correlation Coefficient. The finding indicated that good procurement policies exist in terms of availability, adherence to available policies, quality of bidding rules and tendering practices. The level of organisational efficiency in Nasarawa states was generally high, although it was low on four indicators. Results showed that department leaders make sure that the right things are done, there is high common understanding among staff, clear goals and objectives are set and highly achieved, controls on expenditure exist, budgets direct tasks and expenditures, resources are economically used, efforts to increase productivity are in place, services are satisfactorily delivered to clients and are easy to access, there is value for money, tasks are completed in time with minimum costs, low staff turnover, there is openness, transparency, quality and expectations are met. But corruption and red tapes were high, resource utilization and motivation were low and there were some redundant workers in departments, all of which reduced efficiency. The quality of procurement policies positively and significantly correlated with organisational efficiency (r = 0752, sig. = 0.000). The researcher recommended that Local governments in Nasarawa should; improve the quality of procurement policies by making regular revisions within policies and ensure that the procurement policies are well followed; procurement committees to have all members as required; contracts and calls for bids be advertised in time before awarding dates, to increase competition; access to bidding rules and procedures be increased; increase monitoring of the procurement activities; remove redundant workers; improve workers motivation and asset utilization.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Heading Page

DECLARATION

APROVAL ii

DEDICATION Ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS v

LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF FIGURES viii

ABSTRACT ix

CHAPTER ~1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE I.

Background of the Study 1

Contextual Perspective 3

Statement of the Problem 3

Purpose of the Study 4

Objectives of the Study s

Specific Objectives 5

Research Questions 5

Hypotheses 6

Scope of the Study 6

Significance of the Study 6

Operational Definition of Key Terms 7

CHAPTER

TWO,~8

Conceptual Literature Review 8

Procurement Policies 8

Practices and Procedures to be Followed in the Approval of Tenders 13

Organisational Efficiency 15

Related Studies 25

Research Design 30

Target Population 30

Sample size 30

Sample Procedures 31

Research Instruments 32

Validity and Reliability 32

Data Analysis 32

Ethical Consideration .......... ..... ..........................~. 33

Limitations of the study~34

CHAPTER FOUR .~..... 35

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA 35

Profile of Respondents ................~....35

Quality of procurement policies in public institutions, Nasarawa State .......~...... 38

Adherence to procurement policies 39

Bidding rules 41

Tendering Practices~43

Extent of organisational efficiency in public institutions of Nasarawa State ........... 44

Variations in procurement policies and efficiency in Nasarawa Institutions.......... 47

Variations in organisational efficiency in different public institutions of Nasarawa

State 47

CHAPTER FIVE~....., 50

DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, CONLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .... 50

Introduction 50

Findings and Discussions~50

Profile of Respondents ..........~. 50

Quality of Procurement Policies~51

Extent of organisational efficiency in public institutions of Nasarawa state............. 53

Quality of procurement policies and Efficiency in public~54

Conclusions 56

Recommendations 57

Suggestions for further research 59

REFERENCES 60

APPENDICES 65

APPENDIX I: TRANSMITTAL LETTER FROM COLLEGE OF HIGHER DEGREES AND

RESEARCH (CHDR) 65

APPENDIX II: TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR THE RESPONDENTS 66

APPENDIX III: CLEARANCE FROM ETHICS COMMITTEE 67

APPENDIX IV: INFORMED CONSENT 68

APPENDIX V: PROFILE OF RESPONDENTS 69

APPENDIX VI: QUESTIONNAIRE TO DETERMINE PROCUREMENT POLICIES 72

APPENDIX VII: QUESTIONNAIRE TO DETERMINE ORGANISATIONAL EFFICIENCY 72

APPENDIX VIII: PROPOSED BUDGET 73

APPENDIX IX: TIME FRAME 74