Effects of Political and Cultural Interference on Procurement Process among Selected Lagos State Ministries and Vendors

The peculiarity of the public procurement process in developing countries have been characterized by corruption and other shady act. Though, some of these corruption in Nigeria could be traced to interference from top level management but past studies is yet to identify if political and cultural influence played a major role in the solicitation process and contract administration. This study examined the effect of political and cultural interference on the procurement process in term of solicitation and contract administration among selected companies and Ministries in Lagos State. Survey research design was adopted for this study while convenience sampling technique was employed in selecting four Ministries and three vendors. Data was gotten from primary source by use of structured questionnaire. The reliability test was 0.939. To test for relevant hypotheses, regression analysis was used. The study found out that political interference influence solicitation and contract administration by 50% and cultural interference by 29% approximately. It was therefore recommended that management and procurement department of the selected ministries and organization should ensure the enforcement of the policies in The Federal Government of Nigeria public procurement Act 2007 guideline which involves transparency, accountability, probity and non-discrimination in the award of contracts to reduce political interference in solicitation and contract administration, top management of the procuring entities should ensure that all organs involved in the procurement function operate independently and without interference, Professionals that are certified and well trained in the field of procurement should be engaged in managing procurement activities for the organization and institutions, The regulatory bodies should offer proportional punishment to institution and individuals that breaks the procurement Act, to repel others from breaking procurement Act, procurement documents language should be what is generally accepted and understood by all so not to hinder effective communication between contracting officers and potential bidders from different cultural backgrounds and the regulatory bodies should ensure that Ethnicity and religion should not determine appointment, job allocation, contract award and other gain that should be as a result of competency.