Evaluating The Impact of Electronic Public Procurement Systems on Transparency in The Nigeria Port Authority (NPA)

Abstract

The study titled "Impact of Electronic Public Procurement Systems (EPPS) on Transparency in the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA)" investigates the effectiveness of EPPS in enhancing transparency. The study utilized a descriptive survey and documentary research design. The target population comprises 2,934 stakeholders, including NPA staff, contractors, and procurement officials. A sample size of 400 was determined using the Taro Yamane sample size determination technique. A simple random sampling technique was employed to ensure representativeness. Data collection involved both primary and secondary methods. Primary data were gathered through structured questionnaires designed to capture insights on EPPS accessibility, compliance enforcement, system integration, and user competence. Secondary data were sourced from NPA procurement reports and other relevant publications. Descriptive statistics, such as frequency tables and simple percentages, were used to present quantitative data, while inferential statistics, specifically regression analysis, tested the study's hypotheses. Findings revealed significant relationships across multiple hypotheses. Hypothesis one confirmed that EPPS accessibility positively impacts transparency (p = 0.011 < 0.005). Hypothesis two showed that compliance enforcement's impact on transparency was not statistically significant (p = 0.946 > 0.005). Hypothesis three indicated a significant positive effect of system integration on transparency (p = 0.005 < 0.005), and hypothesis four established that user competence significantly enhances transparency (p = 0.013 < 0.005). Based on these findings, the study concludes that EPPS accessibility, system integration, and user competence are critical to improving transparency in NPA's procurement processes. Compliance enforcement, however, requires stronger implementation to achieve the desired transparency outcomes. The study recommends ongoing training for staff to improve EPPS competence, regular compliance audits, and further investments in system integration to streamline operations and enhance transparency. This research highlights the importance of robust and accessible EPPS frameworks in public institutions to foster transparency, mitigate corruption, and promote efficient public service delivery.