Acting President Osinbajo signed 3 executive orders.

In an exercise of presidential power, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo signed three executive orders on Thursday.
The orders touched on “the promotion of transparency and efficiency in the business environment designed to facilitate the ease of doing business in the country; support for local contents in public procurement by the federal government and timely submission of annual budgetary estimates by all statutory and non-statutory agencies, including companies owned by the federal government”.
The acting president met with all relevant government officials, including ministers, permanent secretaries and heads of departments and agencies to directly engage them on the implementation of the orders.
The orders make it mandatory for ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to buy made-in-Nigeria products. It also spells out sanctions and punitive measures meant to address violations where necessary.
Here are the highlights of the orders which the office of the acting president released. They came into effect on Thursday.
PROMOTION OF TRANSPARENCY AND EFFICIENCY IN THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

1. Every ministry, department and agency (MDA) of the federal government 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–
2. include all fees and timelines required for the processing of applications for the products and services; and
3. 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.
4. 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 If there is any conflict between a published and an unpublished list of requirements, the published list shall prevail.
5. 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.
6. The mode of communication of official decisions to applicants shall be stated in the published requirements.
7. 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.
8. There shall be at least two 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. 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.
22. 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.
23. 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.
24. 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.
25. 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.
26. The Apapa port shall resume 24-hour operations within 30 days of the issuance of this order.
27. 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.

SUPPORT FOR LOCAL CONTENTS IN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

1. 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 percent of the procurement expenditure on these items in all MDAs of the FGN shall be locally manufactured goods or local service providers:
5. Uniforms and footwear;
6. Food and beverages;
7. Furniture & fittings;
8. Stationery;
9. Motor vehicles;
10. Pharmaceuticals;
11. 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:
6. 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;
7. 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
8. submit such findings to the honourable minister of industry, trade & investment.
9. 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.
10. 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.

TIMELY SUBMISSION OF ANNUAL BUDGETARY ESTIMATES BY MDAs

1. All agencies, whether or not listed in the Fiscal Responsibility Act, shall, on or before the end of 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. Source: www.thecable.ng

Ooni of Ife unveils Yoruba Parapo Logo

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has unveiled the Logo of Yoruba Parapo Cultural carnival (YPCC), an event put together to promote the oneness of Yoruba race.
The Ooni officially unveiled the YPCC logo and inaugurated the Central Coordinating Committee, in his Palace, on Friday, in Ile-Ife.
Prince Solomon Gbenga, the Executive Consultant to the programme, said that in the history of Yoruba, tribe and cultural development needed to be lauded and honoured.
He said the peaceful coexistence and unity of the race was worth celebrating and promoting, adding that the carnival would attract cultural troupes at home and internationally.
He said it would also be colourful, entertaining and would add value to the political, socio-economic focus of the generality of the Yoruba race.
Gbenga said the economic and socio-political efforts of the sons and daughters of Yoruba race globally are reckoned with.
He called for the blessing and support of royal fathers, stakeholders, Nigerians, and corporate organisation toward a successful programme.
He also appealed for a land from Oba Ogunwusi to construct a Mega Yoruba Cultural Dome in Ife with 25,000 seats capacity.
In his remarks, Oba Ogunwusi commended the organisers of the programme for promoting the Yoruba culture and tourism potential.
He promised his full support to ensure the success of the programme.
The Ooni also assured the organisers of the sustainability of peace, unity and progress of Yoruba race globally.

Boko Haram Members Bag 2m Euros For Releasing Girls

The release of the 82 girls came with a price. Five senior Boko Haram militants were moved from a high security unit to be driven to freedom.
The details of the deal are sketchy. Our sources don’t want to be named and their version of events is hard to confirm, but they say the men were high-level Boko Haram bomb-makers, and that they were accompanied by two million euros in cash.
Paying a ransom as well as swapping prisoners was a sticking point that almost unravelled the whole deal, one source tells us. President Buhari has not revealed if a ransom was paid.
“It should have happened sooner, but the president was hesitating about freeing the five – and especially about the money,” says the person with detailed knowledge of the deal.
Persuading him was “very, very difficult. It was the most difficult part of the whole negotiation. He didn’t want to pay any money. BBC reports.
“The ransom was two million euros. Boko Haram asked for euros. They chose the suspects and they gave us the list of girls who would be freed.”Governments rarely admit to paying a ransom, and this claim could not be independently verified.
Reaching that point took a lot of time and there were many setbacks, but trust was gradually built on both sides. The Nigerian army’s surge of military success helped strengthen the government’s hand.

FG:In 2016 N1.2trillion was released for infrastructure.

The Federal Government says it has released N1.2 trillion from the 2016 budget to finance critical infrastructure and to meet recurrent needs.

The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udo Udoma, said this at a Town Hall Meeting to celebrate the Mid-Term administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja on Tuesday.
Udoma also said that the activity of militancy in 2016 affected the production of oil which created revenue challenges.
“The disruption of oil production in the Niger Delta last year created very serious additional revenue challenges, in addition to low prices, we had low production.
“Never the less, we have been able to meet all of our recurrent expenditure commitment, particularly the payment of salaries to civil servant.
“We have also released N1.2 trillion of the 2016 budget to finance capital projects and programmes.
“This is the most unparalleled in the history of Nigeria’s budget performance, is the highest released that this nation has achieved at a time of dwindling revenues.“
He, however, said that the funds were used for infrastructure, roads, airports, railway lines, Dam and for agricultural supports programme.
Udoma said that 30 per cent of the 2016 budget was dedicated to capital expenditure.
“We inherited an economy with declining revenue and GDP growth, raising inflation, weekly balance of payment, declining foreign reserved, raising public debt, capital market and raising unemployment.
“So, we took an immediate steps which is our promise and commitment to fix the economy, so we started by putting together an expansionary N6.06 trillion 2016 budget, tagged budget of change to reflex the economy and reverse this negative trend.“
Also speaking, Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, said that government was working to block leakages, increase on tax GDP and embark on single window projects execution in ports.
Adeosun said the administration needed to stabilise the economy because previously, 10 per cent of government expenditures was on capital projects and 90 per cent on recurrent.
She said that the ministry had to cutdown expenses, overhead money use for travel, stationary by government and track revenue that was not remitted to the government.
“For the Ministry of Finance, our focus now is going to be more on revenue, we borrow quite a lot in 2016, we don’t want to borrow as much, we want to look at revenue sources, so we are blocking leakages, we are working hard on taxation.
“Only six per cent is attached to the GDP, Nigeria is the lowest in the world. We need to enlighten Nigerians on the need to pay tax and embark on single window projects to block leakages at the ports.“
She said all the 36 states of the federation were viable, noting that the economy is getting better and Nigeria is coming out of recession to become stronger.

Ambode:No more VIO on Lagos roads.

By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday announced a permanent ban on the State Vehicles Inspection Officers, VIOs from operating in all Lagos roads.
The governor also advised the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC to restrict their operations to highways and stay off streets in the Lagos metropolis.
Ambode spoke while commissioning the pedestrian bridge, lay-by and slip road at Ojodu-Berger bus stop on Tuesday.
The governor said it had been observed that VIOs and FRSC contributed significantly to traffic gridlock in the Lagos metropolis.
He said the state would employ technology to track and monitor vehicle registration and MOT certifications.
In his words: “Let me use this opportunity to reiterate that Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) have been asked to stay off our roads permanently. We also advice the Federal Road Safety Corps to stay on the fringes and highways and not on the main streets of Lagos.
“It has become evident that these agencies contribute to the traffic challenges on our roads. We will employ technology to track and monitor vehicle registration and MOT certifications.”

Candidates commmend JAMB in Enugu

Some candidates in the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Enugu, have applauded the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for organising a hitch-free examination in the state.

The candidates told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Tuesday after their examination, that JAMB provided a relatively good arrangement, which would boost their chances of excelling.

Miss Gloria Agu, a candidate at the Federal Government College (FGC) centre, told NAN that the examination was stress-free, adding that there was adequate security.

“JAMB technicians were able to fix the power surge challenge we had initially before the start of our CBT-based exam.

“As the centre got the link to the question site, all the individual devices accessed it and the examination started with no other delay,’’ she said.

Master Anthony Eke, a candidate, who took his exam at God Provide Secondary School Centre at Amechi, Enugu, said that the candidates enjoyed a peaceful atmosphere.

“There were enough technicians to take care of our complaints before the start of the examination. This is a plus and I must commend JAMB and Nigeria in general for this feat,” he said.

Another candidate, Master Obinna Okeke, lauded JAMB for a stress-free procedure as well as adopting a CBT system that could work anywhere.

Okeke said that the success recorded would ensure transparency and quick release of the result.

“It is okay. I pray that my result will be a success since the examination itself was stress-free,’’ he said.

NAN reports that more than 1.7 million candidates are sitting the examination which commenced on Saturday across the country.

Candidates write the examination in batches each day at the various designated CBT-examination centres nationwide.

A total of 642 centres are being used for the examination with at least two members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in each of the centres.

In all, a total of 1,200 men of the NSCDC had been deployed to all the centres to beef up the security.

NYSC urge villagers to take more fresh vegetables and fruit.

The Ekiti State Coordinator for the National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC), Mrs Nwano Ukagha, has urged rural dwellers to feed more on fresh vegetables and fruits in order to stay healthy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ukagha gave the advice during the NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers, held at Ara-Ekiti, a community in Ikole Local Government Area on Tuesday.

She said that consumption of vegetables and fruits, which are readily available and cheaper to the rural people, would help them to naturally build their body system against diseases.

Ukagha said it had been scientifically proven that human beings get easily attacked by diseases through the kind of food they eat.

She urged rural dwellers, especially mothers, to abstain from eating too much processed foods.

“Vegetables and fruits are the best medicine to healthy living; our people, who live in the rural communities, should eat a lot of these fruits and vegetables.

“The Almighty God has blessed you with these natural resources; mothers, do not give your children noodles, feed them with enough fruits and vegetables.

“Have enough rest and drink a lot of water to replenish your strength whenever you are tired in order to stay healthy, “Ukagha said.

The NYSC coordinator said that the corps had to bring the health care services to the doorstep of the rural dwellers because they were the people who needed such health talk and care most.

She said, “Some of the people that need the health care services most may not be able to access it because of their poor financial status.

“That is why we, at NYSC, have chosen to bring it to your doorsteps through our Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers.”

NAN reports that apart from giving free health care services to the people living in Ara-Ekiti, wheelchairs were also donated to three physically-challenged students.

Giving out the wheelchairs to the beneficiaries on behalf of the Director-General of NYSC, Brig-Gen. Suleiman Kazaure, Ukagha said the gesture was to ameliorate the suffering of the affected children.

She said,” The donation of the wheelchairs is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to show that it cares about her citizens.

“These wheelchairs will assist the movement of these children who cannot move on their own without the help of their parents and relatives.”

NAN reports that tests to determine the blood pressure and sugar level of  willing persons in attendance were also carried out, while free medicines were donated to the sick.