Foreigners seeking Visa to Nigeria can now get it within 48 mga oras, according to one of the three executive orders signed Thursday by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN,
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.
Azaresult, tanan nga mga aplikasyon alang sa mga rehistro sa negosyo, sertipikasyon, waivers, lisensyao mga permiso nga wala mahuman sa gitakda nga mga timeline kinahanglan nga madawat nga giaprubahan ug gihatag.
Apan, diin ang mga aplikasyon gisalikway sa gitakda nga timeline, ang tanan nga mga pagsalikway kinahanglan ihatag nga adunay mga hinungdan nga klaro nga gipahayag.
Ang mga pagsalikway sa mga aplikasyon kinahanglan nga sundan ug tukma nga mga rekord nga gitipigan sa tanan nga mga oras sa wala pa angMDA ug kinahanglan isumite sa ulo saMDA sa matag semana nga basehan.
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 time frame, 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.
susama, 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 adlaw.
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.
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; ug
WHEREAS, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ang FederalRepublicofNigeria nagtukod saPresidentialEnablingBusinessEnvironmentCouncil aron makig-coordinate sa pagpatuman niini nga polisiya;
KARON, GIPASABOT SA AWTORIDAD AKO PINAAGI SA KONSTITUSYON AKONG PAGPRESIDENTE SAFEDERAL REPUBLICOFNIGERIA, GISUNOD KO:
Transparency sa mga MDA
1. Matag Ministeryo, Department and Agency (MDA) sa FGN kinahanglan nga imantala ang usa ka kompleto nga listahan sa nahulog nga mga kinahanglanon o mga kondisyon alang sa pagkuha sa mga produkto ug mga serbisyo sulod saMDAE28099skop sa responsibilidad, lakip ang mga permit, licenses, waivers, tax related processes, pag-file ug mga pagtugot. Ang lista kinahanglanE28093
sa usa ka. ilakip ang tanan nga bayad ug mga timeline nga gikinahanglan alang sa pagproseso sa mga aplikasyon alang sa mga produkto ug serbisyo; ug
b. matan-aw nga gipapilit sa premise nga adunay kalabotan saMDA ug gipatik sa sulod sa website 21 mga adlaw gikan sa petsa sa paghatag niini nga 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. Kung adunay panagsumpaki tali sa gipatik ug wala gimantala ang mga kinahanglanon, ang gimantala nga lista mopatigbabaw.
DefaultApprovals
3. Kung diin ang kahinungdanon o opisyal napakyas sa pagkomunikar sa pagtugot sa pagdumili sa aplikasyon sa sulod sa mga oras nga gitakda sa gimantala nga lista, tanan nga mga aplikasyon alang sa mga rehistro sa negosyo, sertipikasyon, waivers, lisensyao mga permiso nga wala mahuman sa gitakda nga mga timeline kinahanglan nga madawat nga giaprubahan ug gihatag.
4. Ang paagi sa komunikasyon sa opisyal nga desisyon sa mga aplikante kinahanglan nga igahatag sa gimantala nga mga kinahanglanon.
5. Diin ang mga aplikasyon gisalikway sa gitakda nga timeline, ang tanan nga mga pagsalikway kinahanglan ihatag nga adunay mga hinungdan. Ang mga pagsalikway sa mga aplikasyon kinahanglan nga sundan ug tukma nga mga rekord nga gitipigan sa tanan nga mga oras sa wala pa angMDA ug kinahanglan isumite sa ulo saMDA sa matag semana nga basehan.
6. Adunay labing menos duha (2) paagi sa komunikasyon sa pagdawat o pagsalikway sa mga aplikasyon ngadto sa mga aplikante sa may kalabutan nga MDA sa wala pa matapos ang gitakda nga oras, lakip ang mga sulat, email ug mga publikasyon sa mga website sa MDA.
7. Ang aplikanteE28099nagdawat sa kopya sa aplikasyon, lakip ang electronic nga pagsumite sa mga pagkilala, kinahanglan magsilbi nga pamatuod sa petsa sa pagsumite sa aplikasyon alang sa katuyoan sa pagdeterminar sa pagsugod sa linya sa aplikasyon.
8. Usa ka Aplikante nga ang aplikasyon gikonsiderar nga gihatag sa ilalum niini nga Direktiba mahimong mag-aplay sa Ministro sa wala’y panahon nga magdumala sa aplikasyon alang sa iyang pag-isyu sa bisan unsang dokumento o sertipikasyon sa ebidensya sa gihatag sa sulod. 14 mga adlaw sa pagkalapos saMDAE28099 nga gitakda nga timeline alang sa aplikasyon.
9. Failure of the appropriate officer to act on any application within the timeline stipulated, without lawful excuse, kinahanglan nga mokabat sa sayop nga binuhatan ug mahimong sakop sa angay nga disiplina nga pamaagi nga nahiuyon sa kontra ug mga regulasyon nga magamit sa sibil nga serbisyo publiko.
OneGovernmentDirective
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, lakip ang mga permit, 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, kinahanglan nga mokabat sa sayop nga binuhatan ug mahimong sakop sa angay nga disiplina nga pamaagi nga nahiuyon sa kontra ug mga regulasyon nga magamit sa sibil nga serbisyo publiko.
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:
sa usa ka. Uniforms and Footwear;
b. Food and Beverages;
c. Furniture & Fittings;
d. Stationery;
e. Motor Vehicles;
f. Pharmaceuticals;
g. Construction Materials; ug
h Information and Communication Technology;
5. Within 90 days of the date of this Order, the heads of all MDAs of the FGN shall:
sa usa ka. 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; ug
c. submit such findings to the Honourable Minister of Industry, Pamatigayon & Investment.
6. Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Minister of Industry, Pamatigayon & 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
