NSITF to create automated business module

Partners BPP on enabling environment

Plans are underway by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) to create a fully automated business module to support the Federal Government’s agenda of creating a friendly environment for doing business in Nigeria.

The Managing Director of the Fund, Adebayo Somefun, who disclosed this when a team from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) paid him a courtesy visit at the Corporate Headquarters of the Fund recently, explained that the topmost agenda of the Fund’s Executive Management team under his watch is to improve on the existing system.

Noting though that the process has already commenced, Somefun stated that it is important for all branches of NSITF to be on the same page to enable dissemination of accurate data to members of the public.

The NSITF boss affirmed that a collaborative effort between the two agencies has become pertinent, especially considering that the Executive Order 001, 002 and 003 have already become law and all agencies are expected to comply within 21 days.

He commended the proactive gesture by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), adding that Management would constitute a Technical Committee of NSITF to work with BPP in achieving the Federal Government’s objective.

He reiterated that the Fund would leave nothing to chance in providing accurate information to those who require it.Earlier, leader of the visiting team, Aliyu Aliyu, Head, Regulation and Database Department of BPP, said the agency had begun the development of a system in which there would be a central database, where all requirements for doing business in all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) would be listed, noting that this important project requires cooperation from every agency involved in order to clarify the business requirements of each agency.

He added that BPP has realised that when people with genuine intentions to do business with the government encounter challenges while using government software, mobile application or website.

“With this in mind, BPP has set out to ensure that anticipated bottlenecks are reduced to the barest minimum,” he said.This visit was to facilitate a collaborative working relationship in line with the Executive Order on Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria signed on April 27, 2017 by the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

The Order promotes transparency by directing that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to publish a complete list of all requirements for obtaining permits, licences and approvals, including fees and timelines, in their premises and on their websites within the next 21 days.

The Order also directs that MDAs must communicate with applicants by at least two methods, and any approvals for applications not received within the specified period would be assumed to have been granted to the applicant by default.  Any rejections must be given with valid reasons.

The Applicant whose application is deemed granted after the expiration of the application period can apply to the supervising Minister to issue any document or certificate required.