An Assessment of the Role of National Assembly in Public Procurement Process in Nigeria: Case Study of the Senate Committee on Procurement

Abstract

This study focuses on the role and effectiveness of the National Assembly, particularly the Senate Committee on Public Procurement, in enhancing the public procurement process in Nigeria. The research objectives included examining the Senate Committee on Procurement’s role, (ii) Assessing the effectiveness of the Senate Committee in the Public Procurement Process and (iii) Understanding the challenges faced by the Senate Committee in improving public procurement processes in Nigeria. The study employed a qualitative research design and collected data from 12 purposively selected respondents drawn from legislators (Members of the Senate Committee on Procurement), Relevant Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and selected staff of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), using semi-structured interviews. Their insights and deep knowledge of the operations of the procurement process were transcribed into useful research data for analysis. The findings of the study revealed with respect to objective one, that the Senate Committee on Procurement played a Pivotal role in shaping Nigeria's procurement landscape through lawmaking, oversight, and representation. After the passage of the Procurement Act 2007, the Committee on Procurement monitors compliance at Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Government. With respect to objective two, the study noted that despite several impressive legislative and oversight activities performed by the Committee, including meetings, oversight visits, and public hearings, the Committee fell short in one of its important mandates notably, investigative hearings. This raised concerns about the depth of scrutiny and accountability in public procurement issues. With respect to objective three, the study noted the challenges faced by the Committee within the study period to include inadequate resources, low technical capacity, high turnover, executive interference, limited office space, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study made Recommendations for enhancing the performance of the Committee which included professionalizing the committee system, diverse secretariat staffing, comprehensive training, hiring of experienced legislative aides, use of consultants, fostering political will, advocating for adequate funding, and providing well-equipped office space. The study concludes that these measures will help to reposition the Public Procurement Committee to be able to achieve its legislative mandate effectively.