Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo | State House Photo
Foreigners
seeking visa to Nigeria can now get it within 48 hours, according to
one of the three executive orders signed Thursday, May 18, 2017 by
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.
The signing was the climax of the
Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) meeting at
the Conference Hall of the Presidential Villa meant to engage government
officials who would be implementing the orders and the new
instructions.
The orders are to ease business, fast track budget submission and promote Made-in-Nigeria products.
The orders would promote transparency
and efficiency in the business environment, support local contents in
public procurement by the Federal Government, and ensure timely
submission of annual budgetary estimates by statutory and non-statutory
agencies
The executive orders also stipulate sanctions and punitive measures meant to address violations.
On the promotion of transparency and
efficiency in the business environment every Ministry, Department and
Agency (MDA) should publish a complete list of all requirements or
conditions for obtaining products and services.
The mandate includes permits, licenses,
waivers, tax related processes, filings and approvals which include all
fees and timelines required for the processing of applications for the
products and services.
The MDAs are required to henceforth
conspicuously paste such on their premises and publish same on their
website within 21 days from the date of issuance of the order.
It shall be the responsibility of the
head of the relevant MDA to ensure that the list is verified and kept
up-to-date at all times.
The order stated that where the relevant
agency or official failed to communicate approval or rejection of an
application within the time stipulated in the published list it shall be
deemed to have got default approval.
As a result, all applications for
business registrations, certification, waivers, licenses or permits not
concluded within the stipulated timeline shall be deemed approved and
granted.
However, where applications are rejected
within the stipulated timeline, all rejections shall be given with
reasons clearly stated.
Rejections of applications shall be
tracked and accurate records kept at all times for each MDA and shall be
submitted to the head of the MDA on a weekly basis.
Failure of the appropriate officer to
act on any application within the timeline stipulated, without lawful
excuse, shall amount to misconduct.
Such act would be subject to appropriate
disciplinary proceedings in accordance with the law and regulations
applicable to the civil or public service.
On the One-Government-Directive an MDA
that requires input documentation, requirements or conditions from
another MDA shall only request for photocopy of the original document.
Also Service Level Agreements shall be
binding on MDAs and shall be relied upon by MDAs in the issuance of
published stipulated timelines for processing of applications for the
products and services.
On the Entry Experience of Visitors
ordinary tourist and business entry visas to Nigeria shall henceforth be
issued or rejected with reason by the Consular Office of Nigerian
Embassies and High Commissions within 48 hours of receipt of valid
application.
The timeline shall be notified to the
public by pasting a notice conspicuously at every Consular Office and by
publication on every website of Nigerian Embassies and High
Commissions.
In that regard, a comprehensive and up
to date list of requirements, conditions and procedures for obtaining
visa on arrival, including estimated timeframe, shall be published on
all immigration-related websites in Nigeria, abroad and all ports of
entry into Nigeria.
The order directs that there shall be no
touting whatsoever by official or unofficial persons at any port in
Nigeria while on-duty staff shall be properly identified by uniform and
official cards.
Similarly, non-official staff shall be
removed from the secured areas of airports while officials of FAAN,
Immigration, security agency or Ministry of Foreign Affairs or any other
agency are barred from meeting any non-designated dignitary at any
secure areas of the airport.
The order stipulated that any official
caught soliciting or receiving bribes from passengers or other port
users shall be subject to immediate removal from post and disciplinary
action as well as prosecution.
The order requires that each port in
Nigeria shall assign an existing export terminal to be dedicated to the
exportation of agriculture produce within 30 days of the issuance of the
order while the Apapa Port shall resume 24-hour operations also within
same 30 days.
With respect to registration of
businesses, the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission
(CAC) shall within 14 days of the issuance of the order ensure that all
registration processes at the CAC are fully automated.
On support for local contents in public
procurement by the Federal Government, all MDAs shall grant preference
to local manufacturers of goods and service providers in their
procurement of goods and services.
Made-in-Nigeria products shall be given
preference in the procurement of Uniforms and Footwear; Food and
Beverages; Furniture and Fittings; Stationery; Motor Vehicles;
Pharmaceuticals; Construction Materials; and Information and
Communication Technology.
In all items at least 40 per cent of the procurement expenditure shall be locally manufactured goods or local service providers.
On budgets, all Agencies, whether or not
listed in the Fiscal Responsibility Act, shall, on or before end of May
every year, prepare and submit to the Minister of Finance and the
Minister of Budget and National Planning their schedule of revenue and
expenditure estimates for the next three financial years.
All Agencies shall, on or before the end
of July every year, also, prepare and submit their annual budget
estimates, which shall be derived from the estimates of revenue and
expenditure as projected in their three-year schedule.
A joint committee of the Ministries of
Finance, and the Budget and National Planning shall review such
estimates and ensure their conformity with the national plan and the
financial and budgetary regulations before processing them for approval
and early transmission to the National Assembly.
The order stipulated that except with
the consent of the President, no payment shall be made in respect of any
capital or recurrent liability of an Agency other than payment of due
salaries and allowances, unless the Agency has an approved budget and
the payment conforms with the approval.
Heads of Agencies and Chief Executive
Officers of Government owned companies shall take personal
responsibility and be subject to appropriate sanctions for any failure
to comply with the executive order effective May 18.
Highlights of the three orders
On the Promotion of Transparency and Efficiency in the Business Environment
WHEREAS,
it is the policy of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to create
an enabling environment for businesses and entrench measures and
strategies aimed at promoting transparency and efficiency;
WHEREAS,
the FGN is committed to the promotion of domestic and foreign
investments, creation of employment and stimulation of the national
economy; and
WHEREAS,
His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, the President,
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria
constituted the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council to
coordinate the implementation of this policy;
NOW
THEREFORE, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME BY THE CONSTITUTION
AS THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, I HEREBY
ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
Transparency in MDAs
1.
Every Ministry, Department and Agency (MDA) of the FGN shall publish a
complete list of all requirements or conditions for obtaining products
and services within the MDA’s scope of responsibility, including permits, licenses, waivers, tax related processes, filings and approvals. The list shall –
a. include all fees and timelines required for the processing of applications for the products and services; and
b.
be conspicuously pasted on the premises of the relevant MDA and
published on its website within 21 days from the date of issuance of
this Order.
2.
It shall be the responsibility of the head of the relevant MDA to
ensure that the list is verified and kept up-to-date at all times. If
there is any conflict between a published and an unpublished list of
requirements, the published list shall prevail.
Default Approvals
3.
Where the relevant agency or official fails to communicate approval or
rejection of an application within the time stipulated in the published
list, all applications for business registrations, certification,
waivers, licenses or permits not concluded within the stipulated
timeline shall be deemed approved and granted.
4. The mode of communication of official decisions to applicants shall be stated in the published requirements.
5.
Where applications are rejected within the stipulated timeline, all
rejections shall be given with reasons. Rejections of applications shall
be tracked and accurate records kept at all times for each MDA and
shall be submitted to the head of the MDA on a weekly basis.
6.
There shall be at least two (2) modes of communication of acceptance or
rejection of applications to the applicants by the relevant MDAs before
the expiration of the stipulated time, including letters, emails and
publications on MDA websites.
7. The applicant’s
acknowledgement copy of the application, including electronic
submission acknowledgements, shall serve as proof of the date of
submission of the application for purposes of determination of the
commencement of the application timeline.
8.
An Applicant whose application is deemed granted under this Directive
may apply to the Minister for the time being in charge of the
application for the issuance of any document or certificate in evidence
of the grant within 14 days of lapse of the MDA’s stipulated timeline for the application.
9. Failure
of the appropriate officer to act on any application within the
timeline stipulated, without lawful excuse, shall amount to misconduct
and be subject to appropriate disciplinary proceedings in accordance
with the law and regulations applicable to the civil or public service.
One Government Directive
10.
An MDA that requires input documentation, requirements or conditions
from another MDA in order to deliver products and services on
applications within the originating MDA’s
remit or mandate, including permits, licenses, waivers, tax
documentation, filings and approvals shall only request a photocopy or
other prima facie proof from the applicant. It shall be the
responsibility of the originating MDA to seek verification or
certification directly from the issuing MDA.
11.
Service Level Agreements shall be binding on MDAs and shall be relied
upon by MDAs in the issuance of published stipulated timelines for
processing of applications for the products and services.
12.
It shall be the responsibility of the head of the relevant MDA to
ensure that the agreed terms of the Service Level Agreements are adhered
to.
13.
Failure of the appropriate officer to act within the timeline
stipulated in the Service Level Agreement, without lawful excuse, shall
amount to misconduct and be subject to appropriate disciplinary
proceedings in accordance with the law and regulations applicable to the
civil or public service.
Entry Experience of Visitors and Travellers
14.
Ordinary tourist and business entry visas to Nigeria shall henceforth
be issued or rejected with reason by the Consular Office of Nigerian
Embassies and High Commissions within 48 hours of receipt of valid
application. The timeline shall be notified to the public by pasting a
notice conspicuously at every Consular Office and by publication on
every website of Nigerian Embassies and High Commissions.
15.
A comprehensive and up to date list of requirements, conditions and
procedures for obtaining visa on arrival, including estimated timeframe,
shall be published on all immigration-related websites in Nigeria and
abroad, including Embassies and High Commissions, and all ports of entry
into Nigeria.
16.
The processing of issuance of visas on arrival shall be carried out in a
transparent manner. Visas on arrival shall be granted at all Nigerian
ports of entry once applicants have met all the published requirements.
Port Operations
17.
There shall be no touting whatsoever by official or unofficial persons
at any port in Nigeria. On duty staff shall be properly identified by
uniform and official cards. Off duty staff shall stay away from the
ports except with the express approval of the agency head. The FAAN
Aviation Security (AVSEC) and Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) Security
shall enforce this order.
18.
All non-official staff shall be removed from the secured areas of
airports. No official of FAAN, Immigration, security agency or Ministry
of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) or any other agency is to meet any
non-designated dignitary at any secure areas of the airport. The
official approved list of dignitaries that have been pre-approved to be
received by protocol officers shall be made available to AVSEC and other
relevant agencies ahead of their arrival at the airport.
19.
Any official caught soliciting or receiving bribes from passengers or
other port users shall be subject to immediate removal from post and
disciplinary as well as criminal proceedings in line with extant laws
and regulations.
20.
All relevant MDAs at the airports shall within 30 days of the issuance
of this Order merge their respective departure and arrival interfaces
into a single customer interface, without prejudice to necessary backend
procedures.
21.
All agencies currently physically present in Nigerian Ports shall
within 60 days harmonise their operations into one single interface
station domiciled in one location in the port and implemented by a
single joint task force at all times, without prejudice to necessary
backend procedures.
22.
The new single interface station at each Port shall capture, track and
record information on all goods arriving and departing from Nigeria and
remit captured information to the head of the MDA and the head of the
National Bureau of Statistics on a weekly basis.
23.
Each Port in Nigeria shall assign an existing export terminal to be
dedicated to the exportation of agriculture produce within 30 days of
the issuance of this Order.
24. The Apapa Port shall resume 24-hour operations within 30 days of the issuance of this Order.
Registration of Businesses
25.
The Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) shall
within 14 days of the issuance of this Order ensure that all
registration processes at the CAC are fully automated through the CAC
website from the start of an application process to completion,
including ensuring the availability of an online payment platform where
necessary.
Effective Date of the Order
26. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
Dated this 18th. . . . . .. . day of May . . . . . . 2017.
SIGNED BY
Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON
Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
On support for local contents in public procurement by the Federal Government.
All
Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the FGN shall grant
preference to local manufacturers of goods and service providers in
their procurement of goods and services.
2.
Any document issued by any MDA of the FGN for the solicitation of
offers, bids, proposals or quotations for the supply or provision of
goods and services (Solicitation Document), in accordance with (1)
above, shall expressly indicate the preference to be granted to domestic
manufacturers, contractors and service providers and the information
required to establish the eligibility of a bid for such preference.
3.
All Solicitation Documents shall require bidders or potential
manufacturers, suppliers, contractors and consultants to provide a
verifiable statement on the local content of the goods or services to be
provided.
4.
Made-in-Nigeria products shall be given preference in the procurement
of the following items and at least 40% of the procurement expenditure
on these items in all MDAs of the FGN shall be locally manufactured
goods or local service providers:
a. Uniforms and Footwear;
b. Food and Beverages;
c. Furniture & Fittings;
d. Stationery;
e. Motor Vehicles;
f. Pharmaceuticals;
g. Construction Materials; and
h Information and Communication Technology;
5. Within 90 days of the date of this Order, the heads of all MDAs of the FGN shall:
a.
assess the monitoring, enforcement, implementation, and compliance with
this Executive Order and local content stipulations in the Public
Procurement Act or any other relevant Act within their agencies;
b. propose policies to ensure that the Federal Government’s
procurement of goods and services maximises the use of goods
manufactured in Nigeria and services provided by Nigerian citizens doing
business as sole proprietors, firms, or companies held wholly by them
or in the majority; and
c. submit such findings to the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment.
6.
Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Minister of Industry,
Trade & Investment in consultation with the Director-General of the
Bureau for Public Procurement shall submit to the President, a report on
the Made-in-Nigeria initiative that includes findings from paragraph 4
above. This report shall include specific recommendations to strengthen
the implementation of Local Content Laws and local content procurement
preference policies and programmes.
7.
For the purpose of this Order, “local content” means the amount of
Nigerian or locally produced human and material resources utilised in
the manufacture of goods or rendering of services.
8. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
Dated this 18th. . . . . .. . day of May . . . . . . 2017.
SIGNED BY
Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON
Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
ON BUDGETS
All Agencies, whether or not listed in the Fiscal Responsibility Act, shall, on
or before the end May every year, cause to be prepared and submitted to
the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Budget and National
Planning their schedule of revenue and expenditure estimates for the next three financial years.
2. All Agencies shall, on
or before the end of July every year, cause to be prepared and
submitted to the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Budget and
National Planning their annual budget estimates, which shall be derived
from the estimates of revenue and expenditure as projected in their three-year schedule.
3.
A joint committee of the Ministries of Finance, and the Budget and
National Planning shall review such estimates and ensure their
conformity with the national plan and the financial and budgetary
regulations before processing them for approval and early transmission
to the National Assembly.
4.
Supervising Ministers and Heads of Agencies as well as the Chief
Executive Officers of Government owned companies shall verify that the
process of preparation, harmonisation and collation of budget estimates
are as stipulated in relevant laws and guidelines as well as ensure
strict compliance with this Executive Order.
5.
Except with the express consent of the President, no payment shall be
made in respect of any capital or recurrent liability of an Agency,
other than payment of due salaries and allowances, unless the Agency has
an approved budget and the payment is in conformity with the approval.
6.
Heads of Agencies and Chief Executive Officers of Government owned
companies shall take personal responsibility and be subject to
appropriate sanctions for any failure to comply with this Order.
7.
Any revenue or other funds of an Agency in excess of the amounts
budgeted and duly expended shall accrue to the consolidated revenue fund
of the Federal Government.
8. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
Dated this 18th. . . . . .. . day of May . . . . . . 2017.
SIGNED BY
Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON
Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
0 comments:
Post a Comment