ASSESSING THE CAPACITIES OF DISTRICT ASSEMBLIES FOR EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT ACT, 2003 (ACT 663). A CASE STUDY OF THE SABOBA AND ZABZUGU DISTRICT ASSEMBLIES IN THE NORTHERN REGION

Abstract

Public procurement in the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) is still bedeviled with numerous challenges despite the passage of the Public Procurement Act which was preceded by a radical and comprehensive assessment of the public procurement system in 1993. This study examined the challenges that militate against efficient and effective implementation of the procurement Act and offered suggestions to address those challenges. This study investigated the capacity situations of the Zabzugu and Saboba District Assemblies which are fragmented into staff training, skills and experience, the financial strength of the Assemblies and the level of awareness of the procurement rules, procedures by the key staff of the Assemblies who manage the procurement processes. The significance of this study is that it reveals the various capacity gaps in the District Assemblies and recommends measures to improve on them for effective procurement management. A sample size of 100 comprising respondents in the various departments and units and chairpersons of sub-committees within the Zabzugu and Saboba District Assemblies was used for the study. The mixed research approach was used for the study. Questionnaire and an interview guide were used instruments to collect data from the field which was statistically analyzed with the aid of descriptive statistics and narrative summary analysis. The findings indicate that to some extent, the procurement processes prescribed by the procurement act are being adhered to in the Saboba and Zabzugu District Assemblies. It, however, discloses that the Assemblies do not have adequate capacities in terms of sound financial base and staff with procurement skills and experience to implement the Public Procurement Act effectively.