TheNewsGuru

Tag: Executive Order

  • We’ll realign our operations with Osinbajo’s Executive Order – FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) ha said it will reorganise its operations for better transparency and efficiency in line with the recently signed Presidential Executive Orders.

    Its Corps Marshal, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, said this at a strategic session with Zonal Commanding Officers of the FRSC at its headquarters in Abuja on Friday.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, had on Thursday, May 18 signed three far-reaching executive orders expected to ease business, fast-track budget submission and promote made in Nigeria products.

    Oyeyemi said the FRSC had a critical role to play in the implementation of the Orders given its status as the country’s lead agency in road traffic administration and safety management.

    He said; “the Executive Order has made it imperative that FRSC aligns its operations for effective and efficient service delivery through re-orientation of all segments of the corps.

    “Accordingly, this session will be devoted to identification of areas requiring alignment to the Executive Order in the nation’s continuous search for excellence in all fields of endeavours.

    “We must strive to ensure that our processes and procedures are continually built in oerder to maintain a deserved leadership role in Road safety in Africa.

    “There is no area in which suitable development is more important than this Executive Order in terms of human welfare that is transportation.’’

    Oyeyemi said the goal of the FRSC under the Order was to ensure free and safe movement of goods and services, including farm produce to their destinations.

    He added that the Corps would display its services, including the process of obtaining and renewing driver’s licence at its formations nationwide in line with the Executive Order 001.

    The Special Guest of Honour and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Okechukwu Enelamah, urged officers and men of the Corps to take the Executive Orders seriously.

    Enelamah, represented by the Director of Inspectorate in his ministry, Mr Battah Ndirpaya, took the FRSC officials through the contents of the Executive Orders, whose implementation had begun,

    “The first requirement under transparency is that all MDAs shall publish a complete list of all fees, timelines, conditions and requirements for obtaining permits, licenses and approvals.

    “The head of MDA must ensure that the list is verified and kept up to date at all times. If there is conflict between a published list and an unpublished list, the published list shall prevail.

    “So, you cannot hide anything any longer. All information must be given to the public and the public must know,’’ he said.

    The minister said that Order 001 required all MDAs to set timelines for approval or rejection of applications from members of the public.

    Enelamah explained that an applicant not approved or rejected by an agency or official within the agency’s specified timeline shall be assumed to have been approved.

    “The applicant whose application is deemed granted may apply to the minister in charge to issue a document or certificate as evidence of the grant within 14 days of the lapse of the dateline.

    “What happens here is if they come here for their driver’s licence after the expiration of the date set by you, and they did not get it, they will go to the Secretary to the Government of Federation to demand for the licence.

    “How does that portray the Corps Marshal Failure? When you are putting your timelines, you must be sure you will be able to meet it.

    “If not the tendency is that you will shoot yourself in the foot and the whole agency blacklisted.’’

    He also warned that failure by desk officers to act on application within stipulated time without lawful excuse would amount to misconduct and disciplinary actions would be taken.

     

    (NAN)

  • NITDA lambasts fed govt agencies over inactive websites

    NITDA lambasts fed govt agencies over inactive websites

    The National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, has berated Federal Ministries and agencies over inactive websites and poor online service delivery.

    A statement signed by Isa Pantami, Director General of the agency, said an assessment done by the NITDA revealed that some government agencies do not have websites.

    According to Mr. Patanmi, the assessment was done in compliance with the Executive Order signed by the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, on the Promotion of Transparency and Efficiency in the Business Environment.

    He explained that the Executive Order was designed to facilitate the ease of doing business in Nigeria, as it relates to the use of ICT for efficient service delivery.

    But the NITDA boss noted that the assessment revealed that some ministries either have no active websites or are not registered on .GOV.NG domain.

    The statement explained further that most of the websites were not in conformity with published standards and guidelines for government websites.

    “Most of the websites do not have feedback and information necessary to facilitate ease of doing business,” the statement said.

    “For instance, only 25% and 37% of the websites have reachable phone numbers and email addresses respectively.

    “In addition, some of the websites do not have complete list of website links of the Agencies under their supervision and the content outdated.”

    The statement noted that businesses and citizens expect more transparent, accessible, and responsive services from government agencies and it is essential that Federal Ministries take the lead in ensuring that information provided on their websites meets such expectations.

    The agency, therefore, called on affected Federal Ministries to ensure that, “contact information are accurate and reachable and means of interaction such as online feedback are integrated” on the website.

    It also directed that the, “content and the list of website links of the Agencies under their supervision are complete and up-to-date; and detailed requirements or conditions for service provision and electronic mode of communicating acceptance and rejection of applications as stated in the executive order are conspicuously published.”

    Furthermore, the NITDA said that government agencies at all levels are required to use the .GOV.NG domain in line with Nigerian content in ICT promotion, adding that the domain is Nigerian Government identity on the Internet.

    The NITDA boss explained that the agency had put in place more efficient and effective measures to improve service delivery of the .GOV.NG domain management and administration and quick turnaround has been achieved.

    “Requests for domain registration and other support services are attended to within 24hrs if all the requirements are provided,” the statement said.

    “Further information on these requirements can be obtained by sending requests to domains@nitda.gov.ng,” it added.

     

  • BREAKING: Goodbye to queues as airports comply with Osinbajo’s order [Video]

    Sequel to the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo’s signing of three Executive Orders to ease business in Nigeria, TheNewsGuru.com authoritatively reports that the nation’s international airports have fully complied with the Executive Order which sought to stop officials from delaying or receiving bribes from passengers.

    Investigations by TheNewsGuru.com reveal that the manual baggage checking counter has been completely removed today.

    Unlike the old practice, passengers will now have to go through check in counter with their luggage without any form of manual ‘stop and search’ by officials of the airport.

    However, passengers with suspicious items might be recalled for a thorough search of their luggage by officials of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA and other relevant agencies with a scanning machine.

    Elated passengers who were pleased with the development told TheNewsGuru.com that: “This is a very remarkable improvement. Now you don’t have to watch helplessly as all manner of rough urchins in uniform forage through your wife’s undies in the name of pre-boarding searching. Mr President needs a longer medical vacation indeed!”

    However, while some are of the view that the development have been on for a while, others are of the view that it was the acting President who gave the order and ensured its enforcement.

    “The acting President should take credit for this. I watched him give that instruction on live TV when he visited the Lagos airport the first time Oga was away!,” a visibly happy passenger who craved anonymity told TheNewsGuru.com.

    Another anonymous passenger who expressed diverse view about the acting President taking full credit for the development said both President Muhammadu Buhari and the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo are working together and that credit for whatever positive developments in the country should go to both and the administration as a team.

    “The committee was set up by the President with his vice as chairman. He (Osinbajo) just gave directives. The President and his Vice are working together,” he said.

    TheNewsGuru.com recalls that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Tuesday said it had put in place measures to ensure full and sustained compliance with the Federal Government’s Executive Order at airports in the country.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, had on Thursday, May 18 signed three far-reaching executive orders expected to ease business, fast-track budget submission and promote made in Nigeria products.

    See video of compliance at Muritala Muhammed International Airport today:

     

     

  • Osinbajo signs 3 executive orders to ease business

    Osinbajo signs 3 executive orders to ease business

    The Acting President on Thursday signed three executive orders to open up the choked business environment in the country.

    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.

  • Adeleke’s death: Aregbesola signs executive order on inquest

    Governor Rauf Aregbesola, on Tuesday signed an executive order setting up a coroner inquest into the death of Sen. Isiaka Adeleke.

    The governor, while signing the executive order in Osogbo, also appointed Mr Olusegun Ayodele, a Magistrate, as the head of the inquest.

    Aregbesola, also directed that the inquest be carried out in Osogbo within three weeks.

    The governor, said inquest became necessary because of the suddenness and the circumstances surrounding the death of the Senator.

    According to him, a coroner inquest is a long established procedure, dating back to the eighth century and is generally applied in the interest of the community to investigate sudden and unexplained death of a person.

    “A sudden and an unexplained death of a person of high status must be investigated and documented.

    “Therefore, the status of our brother, late Isiaka Adeleke, the suddenness and the circumstances of his death will propel a responsible government to set up an inquest to unravel the circumstances of his death.

    “History will not be kind to us as a government if we fail to do the inquest into the circumstances surrounding his death.

    “We must do this for historical purposes because it is in the general interest of the community and state to investigate any sudden or unnatural death of this nature,” Aregbesola said.

    Earlier in his speech, the State Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mrs Abiola Adewemimo, noted that the circumstances and the suddenness of Adeleke’s death necessitated the setting up of the Coroner inquest by the governor.

    She added that the inquest would ascertain the cause of death of the deceased, adding that the governor by virtue of the Coroner Law is empowered to order such inquest in this present circumstance.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Adeleke, who was the first civilian governor in the state, died on April 23 and was buried on April 24.

    Before his death he was representing Osun West Senatorial District at the Senate under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).