Thesis Abstract

Abstract
The 2007 procurement act in Nigeria aimed to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public sector procurement processes. This research project seeks to investigate the impact of the procurement act on the accountability of officers in the public sector of Nigeria. Accountability is a critical aspect of good governance and is essential for effective service delivery and the prevention of corruption. By examining the provisions of the 2007 procurement act and analyzing its implementation in the public sector, this study aims to provide insights into how the act has influenced the behavior and accountability of officers involved in procurement processes. The methodology for this research will involve a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches. Interviews with key stakeholders in the public sector, including procurement officers, government officials, and civil society representatives, will be conducted to gather perspectives on the implementation of the procurement act and its impact on accountability. Additionally, a survey of public sector officers will be carried out to assess their awareness of the procurement act, their understanding of their roles and responsibilities under the act, and their perceptions of how the act has affected their accountability in procurement processes. The findings of this research are expected to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on public procurement in Nigeria and shed light on the effectiveness of the 2007 procurement act in promoting accountability among officers in the public sector. By identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the act in enhancing accountability, this study will provide recommendations for improving the implementation of the act and strengthening accountability mechanisms in the public sector. Ultimately, the goal of this research is to support efforts to combat corruption, promote good governance, and ensure the efficient use of public resources in Nigeria. In conclusion, the 2007 procurement act represents a significant reform in public procurement in Nigeria. This research project will examine the impact of the act on the accountability of officers in the public sector and provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities for enhancing accountability in public sector procurement processes.

Thesis Overview

This study intends to shed more light on the impact of public procurement act on the accountability of procurement officers in public sector in Kaduna state ministry of education and how it contribute positively towards the conservation of resources in a services organization. However, the researcher feel it would be of great importance to conduct a detailed study on the procurement process or system used by the services organization and the impact of federal government procurement act on the accountability of procurement officers in the public sector. Base on wide spread corruption, conducting government business degenerated so much by the year 2000. This was due to the fact that no serious attention was paid to public service rule. Financial regulations ethics and norms because of selfish reasons. The federal government noted the urgent need to transparency in government procedure so as to be able to move the system forward. Hence, the federal government in 2000 commissioned the world bank to collaborate with some private sector specialist to study financial systems and general procurement related activities in the country. The essence of this request to the world bank is to assist Nigerian government with a process of enthroning efficiency, accountability, integrity and transparency in government procurement and financial management system. It was based on this that the country procurement assessment report was produced through a participatory review approach from key stakeholders including representative from private and the federal, state and local government with assistance from international and national consultants.        

1. 1. Statement of the Problems

A diagnostic study conducted in 2001 in to the state of federal government public procurement revealed that Nigeria may have lost trillions of naira over the last two decades because of flagrant abuse of procedures for the award of public contracts, inflation of contracts costs, lack of transparency, lack of competence based competition and merit as the fundamental criteria for the award of public contracts. The finding of the study made it imperative that the country urgently reform its procurements system, if the country is to reduce the large scale corruption and waste that had reduced the efficiency of the Nigeria public sector Most organization lost a lot of money annually through all kind of manipulation of the procedure for the award of contracts and supply of materials. Ministries and government agencies has been facing difficulties in the award of contract due to lack of due process in the agencies. Federal government preferment act on the accountability of procurement officers in public sector is a vital tool in any fine-tuning organization either service or profit oriented organization. But it has been observed that its importance and role which can lead to efficiency had not yet been appreciated in most Nigeria ministries today.

1. 1. Objective of the Study

The main rational of this study is to appraise the procurement act and its impact on the accountability of officers in public sector. These objectives are as follows:

1. To evaluate the procurement act as it relates to providing fair opportunities to suppliers through bidding in a competitive environment for all government business.
2. To evaluate the contributions /impact of the act towards reducing and eliminating corruption in the procurement process and earn the respect of the public and supplier.
3. To examine the contribution of the act toward Quality control and assurance  
4. To evaluate the contributions of the procurement act towards budget monitoring and control.    
   1. Significance of the Study

The research work will critically concern with the impact of procurement act on the accountability of procurement officers in public sector which is essential things in the government ministries for the award of public contract. It is imperative to note that this research work will be beneficial The importance of the research work base on its benefit, there will be ultimate to the organization itself and students of purchasing and supply department at large. Significantly the researcher hope that this research work will provide the organization with a meaningful and useful source of information in to guess to embark on procuring and award of contracts. Organization will benefit from the research finding and recommendation in the process of awarding contract and procurements It will also be useful to subsequent researcher and student who may wish to conduct further research in this field, it will served as data base for further study. It is a requirement in partial fulfillment for the award of a Higher National Diploma in Purchasing and Supply of Kaduna Polytechnic.      

1. 1.  Research Questions
2. How do the procurement act provide fair opportunity to suppliers in the competitive market environment.
3. What are the impact of the procurement act towards reducing corruption in the award of public contract.
4. What are the contribution of the procurement act of quality control and assurance.
5. What are the relevance of procurement reforms act to subject monitoring and control.  

1. 1. Scope of the Study

This study does answer to all problems related to the federal government procurement act rather its limited to it chosen narrow area of accountability of procurement officers, its fairness, integrity and basis of effective control in public sector   Since the researcher is concerned with federal government procurement act on the accountability of procurement officers in the public sector particularly Kaduna state ministry of education.

1. 1. Definition of Terms  

The terms used in the course of the researchers project are however defined as follows for easy understanding. Procurement: This is the acquisition of goods services or works from an external source. Procurement: Means acquisition Procurement Proceeding: Means the initiation of the process of effecting a procurement up to award of procurement contract.  Procurement entity: Means any public body engaged in procurement and it include a ministry extra-ministerial office, government agency, parastatals and corporation. Public procurement: Means the acquisition by any means of goods, works or services by the government. Public accountability: The obligations of public enterprises and agencies (who are entrusted with public resources) to be answerable for fiscal and social responsibilities, to them.    Due process: It is a mechanism for ensuring strict compliance with the openness, completion and cost accuracy, rules and procedures that should guide contract award within the federal republic of Nigeria (BMPIU 2005)  Relevant Authority: It includes economic and financial crimes commission (EFCC) and independent corrupt practices commission (ICPC). Public Procurement Act: It is the act enacted by the national assembly to establish two public procurement – regulating authorities.