NEU-QTS 305: State and Local Government Laws and Procurement Procedures
Week 1: Introduction to State and Local Government Administration
Meaning, functions and structure of state and local governments.
Overview of Gombe State ministries, departments and agencies.
Roles of ministries in infrastructure and public service delivery.
Examples of ministries responsible for works, housing, finance, education, health and lands.
Week 2: Ministry of Works and Housing: Structure and Functions
Formation and administrative structure of the Ministry of Works and Housing.
Functions of engineering, building, quantity surveying and procurement departments.
Roles of physical planning, works and maintenance units.
Identification of agencies responsible for public infrastructure and asset maintenance.
Learning outcome: Explain the structure of the Ministry of Works and Housing and identify agencies with relevant technical units.
Week 3: Political Landscape and Procurement Methods
Political institutions and their influence on public projects.
Roles of the executive, legislature, ministries and local government councils.
Procurement methods: open competitive bidding, restricted tendering, direct procurement and request for quotations.
Influence of political priorities on budget allocation and project selection.
Learning outcome: Explain the political influences on procurement and distinguish major procurement methods.
Week4 : Procurement Laws, Contract Law and Tort
Meaning and principles of public procurement law.
Overview of the Gombe State procurement framework and the Public Procurement Act 2007.
Procurement responsibilities at state and local government levels.
Basic principles of contract law: offer, acceptance, consideration and breach.
Tort, negligence, nuisance and liability in construction.
Learning outcome: Describe the legal framework for procurement and explain basic principles of contract law and tort.
Week 5: Procurement Process and International Best Practices
Procurement planning, budgeting and preparation of tender documents.
Tender advertisement, bid submission, opening, evaluation and contract award.
Contract administration, site supervision, payment certification and auditing.
Transparency, accountability, competition, fairness and value for money.
Role of the quantity surveyor in tender evaluation and cost control.
Learning outcome: Outline the procurement process and evaluate compliance with recognized best practices.
Week 6: Procurement Challenges and Improvement Strategies
Corruption, political interference and weak accountability.
Inadequate funding, delayed payments and poor project planning.
Limited technical capacity, poor documentation and weak supervision.
Strategies for improvement: training, auditing, enforcement, transparency and monitoring.
Importance of effective complaints and dispute-resolution mechanisms.
Learning outcome: Identify at least four procurement challenges and recommend practical solutions.
Week 7: E-Tendering and ICT in State and Local Governments
Meaning, principles and benefits of electronic tendering.
Steps in e-tendering: online advertisement, registration, document access, submission, evaluation and award.
Application of ICT in procurement administration.
Challenges: poor internet connectivity, unreliable electricity, inadequate infrastructure, limited digital skills, cybersecurity risks and high costs.
Strategies for effective implementation, especially in rural local government areas.
Learning outcome: Describe the e-tendering process and explain at least six challenges associated with its use.
Week 8: Financing State and Local Government Projects
Sources of project finance: government revenue, federal allocations, loans, bonds, grants and public-private partnerships.
Project financing for roads, housing, schools, hospitals and other infrastructure.
Financial challenges, including revenue shortages, inflation, debt obligations and delayed fund releases.
Measures for improving financial planning, feasibility assessment and expenditure control.
Course revision and discussion of procurement case studies in Gombe State.
Learning outcome: Identify at least four financing methods and explain challenges and solutions associated with public infrastructure financing.
- Teacher: Williams Andy