A Review of the Implementation Challenges of Public Procurement Reforms Initiatives in Nigeria

Public Procurement as one of the major functions of government in Nigeria is playing a significant role towards infrastructural development in the country. Reforming the public procurement sector was necessary to regulate the entire procurement process. In an attempt to harmonize the various reform initiatives, Public Procurement Act (hereinafter referred as “PPA”) was passed into law in June 2007. This paper identified and reviewed some major challenges facing the full implementation of the procurement procedural guidelines as highlighted by the Act. These include unfamiliarity, fraudulent practices and influences, and subsequently concludes that, ensuring full implementation required adequate awareness, imposing penalty for defaulters as well as limiting influences of project awards. The establishment of National Council of Public Procurement is one of the vital elements (as provided under section 1 of PPA 2007, but it is yet to be fulfilled)

Critical Success Factors for Affordable Housing Projects in Nigeria

Housing plays an important role in socio-economic development of any country. However, access to affordable housing is a challenge to many people in developing countries. The purpose of this study is to establish critical success factors for affordable private sector housing projects in Nigeria.  Twenty-six (26) success attributes for affordable housing were identified from literature. A survey questionnaire was designed, and pre-tested, subsequently main survey was performed in which two hundred and eighty (280) questionnaires were administered to experienced researchers, senior managers in public housing agencies, developers and consultants with knowledge and experience in affordable housing. One hundred and seventy-six (176) completed questionnaires were returned completed representing 62.86% response rate. The data collected were analyzed using mean score, factor analysis and stepwise multiple regression analysis. The findings from this study produce four critical success factors for affordable housing projects namely, effective land policies for affordable housing, availability of effective financial institutions, good governance of housing systems, and political will. The results suggested that a well-functioning housing sector must satisfy these factors. It has been concluded that, government has an important role to play in the supply of affordable housing in Nigeria. Thus, government should be committed to supporting affordable housing development through the provision of policy solution and implementation. The study can assist policy makers to understand important factors that influence the success of affordable housing development, and thus include them in the formulation of housing policies in their countries