Public Procurement, Corruption and the Crisis of Governance in Africa

This book establishes a nexus between corruption in public procurement and the prevailing crisis of governance in Africa. The African continent is characterised by the growing concern for the deteriorating human security. In the midst of these woes, African political leaders are known for their stupendous wealth and riches through expropriation of national resources for personal benefits. This growing inequality in the continent has become a major driver for a series of violent and criminal activities, which have added to the worsening governance crisis. Thus, the abuse of public power for advancing private gain constitutes an impediment to effective public service delivery, thereby engendering a crisis of governance. The consequence of this is not limited to the socio-economic growth and welfare of citizens, but it often also jeopardizes the democratic credentials and objectives of the state. Nirmala Dorasamy is Professor in the Department of Public Management and Economics at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), Durban, South Africa. She is an award-winning researcher at the university. Her research focuses on ethics and public sector management, with an emphasis on enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of public service delivery. She has established international linkages in collaborative research with Swinburne University of Technology, Federation University, and Monash University, Australia, the American University in Cairo, MUST University, Kenya, and Mendel University, Czech Republic. Omololu Fagbadebo is Research Fellow at the Durban University of Technology, South Africa. He previously taught Political Science at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, and University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. He was Press Secretary to the Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Nigeria, 1999-2003. He participated in the Study of the United States Institutes (SUSI) on American Politics and Political Thought Fellowship at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in 2010. His research focuses on comparative politics, legislative studies, public governance, development studies, public institutions, and African government and politics Acknowledgments Contents Notes on Contributors List of Figures List of Tables Part I Concepts and Theories 1 Conceptualizing Procurement, Corruption, and Governance Introduction The Context of the Book Conclusion References 2 An Overview of Public Procurement, Corruption, and Governance in Africa Introduction A Survey of Public Procurement Challenge in African Countries Public Procurement Corruption in Africa Interrogating Public Procurement Corruption and Poor Service Delivery in Africa Conclusion References 3 Corruption in Procurement- Antecedents, Practices, and Challenges Introduction Transforming for Good Governance Corruption as an Antecedent to Governance Challenges in Africa An Institutional Theory Perspective Concerns About Service Quality Corruption and Public Procurement Poor Procurement Practices and Governance Linking Organizational Culture with Ethical Procurement Decision-Making Conclusion References 4 Understanding Corruption in Africa from an Economic and Neopatrimonial Perspectives Introduction The State of Nature and the Origin of Government Government, the Economy and Economic Theory of Corruption Neopatrimonialism Conclusion References Part II Country Cases 5 Exploring the Procurement Challenges in the South African Public Sector Introduction Procurement and Supply Chain Management in South Africa South African Legislative and Policy Framework on Public Procurement Centralised Procurement Systems Dynamics of Centralisation Advantages of Centralisation in Procurement Disadvantages of Centralisation in Procurement When to Centralise Decentralised Procurement Advantages of Decentralised Procurement Disadvantages of Decentralised Procurement Public Procurement Challenges in South Africa Accountability, Fraud and Corruption Unethical Behaviour Impact of Public Procurement on Accountability Types of Challenges Confronting Public Procurement Key Challenges for Public Sector Procurement Embedding New Purchasing Approaches Overcoming Supplier Related Issues Being Realistic Making Informed Buying Decisions Accurate Data Future Research Directions Conclusion References 6 Weak Procurement Practices and the Challenges of Service Delivery in South Africa Introduction Understanding Public Procurement and Its Significance in South Africa Procurement and Challenges of Operationalisation in South Africa The Effects of Corruption Within the Procurement Process Conclusion and Recommendations References 7 Public Procurement Governance: Toward an Anti-corruption Framework for Public Procurement in Uganda Introduction Why a Concern for Public Procurement Governance? Key to Delivery of Public Services Resource Magnitude Involved Private Sector Role Lack of Robust Procurement Systems Lack of Procurement Capacity Absence of Policy Framework Public Procurement Governance: A Conceptual Framework The Infrastructure of Public Procurement Corruption The Extent of Public Procurement Corruption in Uganda Toward a Framework for Public Procurement Governance Policy and Legal Implications Concluding Remarks References 8 Rising Above the Tide: Review of Anti-corruption Measures in the Ghanaian Procurement Process Introduction Procurement and Corruption Framework for Effective Prevention of Corruption in the Procurement Process Institutions for Corruption Prevention in the Public Procurement Process Financial Administration Laws and Regulations The Auditor-General’s Department Parliamentary Control The Judiciary The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) The Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) Office of the Special Prosecutor E-Procurement Implementation and Enforcement Media Publicity Political Interference Conclusion and Recommendations References 9 Public Procurement Law, Due Process, and Public Sector Corruption in Nigeria: A Review Introduction History of Due Process in Government Activities in Nigeria The Budget Monitoring and Price Intelligence Unit (BMPIU) The Objectives of BMPIU The Public Procurement Act 2007 The Vision and Purposes of the Public Procurement Act 2007 Appraisal of Procurement Corruption in Nigeria Conclusion References 10 Public Procurement Reforms in Tanzania: Dispersion of Corruption and Governance Introduction The History of Public Procurement System in Tanzania from 1960s to Early 2000s Reform of Public Procurement Structures and Dispersion of Corruption State of Corruption and Weak Integrity Goods and Services Received But Not Inspected Governance Structures and Public Procurement in Tanzania Conclusion References 11 Political Polarisation, Compromised Procurement and Poor Service Delivery in the Kingdom of Lesotho Introduction Contextualising Governance in Lesotho The Nature and Characteristics of Procurement Approach Manifestations and Key Fault-Lines in Procurement in Lesotho Cases of Corruption in Lesotho Challenges of Strengthening Procurements and Implications of Corruption for Service Delivery Concluding Remarks and Recommendations References 12 Public Procurement Oversight and the Scourge of Corruption in the Public Sector: A Comparative Analysis of South Africa and Kenya Introduction Literature Review: Theoretical Paradigm Oversight in the Public Sector Corruption in the Context of Public Procurement Governance in Public Procurement Public Procurement in South Africa Public Procurement in Kenya Corruption in Procurement and Governance Crisis in SA and Kenya Governance Crisis, Poor Service Delivery Protests and Violence in South Africa and Kenya Conclusion References 13 Public Procurement Corruption and Service Delivery in Nigeria and South Africa Introduction Conceptualizing Public Procurement Public Procurement Acts in Nigeria Public Procurement Laws in South Africa Service Delivery and Governance Public Procurement, Service Delivery, and Corruption Perception in Nigeria and South Africa Impact of Public Procurement on Governance Conclusion and Recommendations References 14 Charting Pathways to Growth and Development Through Transparent Procurement Management in Africa Introduction The State of Governance in Africa A Systems Approach to Integrated Governance in Africa Integrated Governance Using Networked Governance Approach to Understand Corruption in Procurement Current Realities to Consider for Future Practice Strengthening Procurement Controls and Accountability While Maintaining Flexibility Reducing Opportunity for Unethical Practices While Decreasing Operational Constraints Managing Competing Goals for Best Value-The Principle-Agent Challenge Reviewing Short-Term Benefits vs Long-Term Control Costs Decentralized End User Benefits and Increased Training and Evaluation Costs Conclusion References 15 Good Governance and the Prospect of Sustainable Growth and Development in Africa Introduction The Corruption Albatross and Its Implications Institutional Failures and the Crisis of Governance in Africa Leadership Challenge and Good Governance in Africa Toward Sustainable Growth and Development in Africa References Index