Procurement Policies and Compliance of Local Government in Central Equatoria State, Juba, South Sudan

ABSTRACT The study on “Procurement policies and Compliance of Local Government” was conducted in Central Equatoria State, Juba, South Sudan. The study was guided by three specific objectives: i) to determine the level of Local Government compliance to procurement policies in Central Equatoria State; ii) to examine whether the procurement policies has helped to improved the quality of procurement outcomes of Local Government in Central Equatoria State; and iii) to find out if there is relationship between procurement policies and compliance of Local Government in Central Equatoria State, Juba, South Sudan. The study used descriptive correlation designed to describe the relationship between the two variables. 100 sample population was used, both men and women of different ages, education levels and experience in working with the local government. The data was collected through questionnaires and interviews and both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to analyze the data. Pearson’s Linear Correlation Coefficient was also used to determine the relationship between the two variables. The findings revealed the following: most of the respondents ranged between the ages of 25-35 years (50%) and 84 (84%) were male while 16 (16%) were females implying unequal representation of women in Central Equatoria State Ministry of Local Government. Those who attained diploma as their highest qualification were the majority 41% followed by certificate holders (37%), and bachelor degree (13°k) and master degree (9%) holders were the minority, and majority of the respondents (68%) have over three years working experience with Local Government. There is moderate level (2.8l%) of Local Government compliance to procurement policies and also moderate (2.95%) contribution to the improvement of the quality of procurement outcomes by procurement policies and no significant relationship between procurement policies and the level of compliance of Local Government in Central Equatoria State Juba, South Sudan. The researcher recommends the Local Government to consider recruitment of more female staff and capacity building of personnel, wide dissemination and enforcement, embark on anti-corruption measures to promote compliance of procurement policies, and Cooperation between Local Government and other law enforcing bodies to ensure significant relationship between procurement policies and compliance of Local Government in Central Equatoria State.