Procurement and Contract Management in Public Agencies: A Comparative Study of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission and Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency

Abstract Public procurement and contract management are essential functions of public administration because they determine how governments use public funds to provide infrastructure, goods, and services that improve citizens' welfare. In developing countries, procurement represents a large share of government spending, making efficient and transparent procurement systems important for economic development, accountability, and public trust. In Nigeria, despite the Public Procurement Act 2007 and other procurement reforms, challenges such as procurement irregularities, abandoned projects, delayed contract execution, political interference, weak monitoring, and limited institutional capacity continue to affect service delivery across many Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). This study examines procurement and contract management practices in the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA). Using a comparative case study based on documentary evidence and existing literature, it evaluates procurement planning, supplier selection, contract management, transparency, accountability, regulatory compliance, and risk management. The findings show that although both agencies operate under established legal and regulatory frameworks, procurement performance is still affected by bureaucratic delays, poor planning, limited professional capacity, weak monitoring, political influence, and inconsistent contract management. The study concludes that improving procurement requires more than legal compliance. It also depends on strong institutions, skilled professionals, digital procurement systems, effective audits, stakeholder oversight, and continuous accountability throughout the procurement process. Keywords: Public Procurement, Contract Management, Public Agencies, RSIEC, NEMSA, Governance, Accountability, Nigeria