Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Okechukwu Enelamah has said that Ordinary Visitor’s Business Visas could now be issued within 48 hours as a result of.
Executive Order on Transparency, Improving the Business Environment in
Nigeria
Enelamah who disclosed this Monday in Enugu said that as a
result of the signing of the Executive Order on Transparency and
Improving the Business Environment in Nigeria by the Federal
Government, Ordinary Visitor’s Business Visas are now issued within
48 hours within the country and her embassies abroad.
The minister made this known during a sensitisation programme on the Ratified ECOWAS
Investment Code and Policy held in Enugu for the South east
geopolitical zone.
The minister, who was represented by the Director, Investment
Promotion of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment,
Arodudu Kemi{Mrs.}, explained that the main aim of the sensitization
programme was to create awareness for and build an understanding of
the code and policy, which is a road-map towards sustainable growth
and development in the sub-region.
He also noted that eligible prospective investors and business
visitors have been given the opportunity for visa on arrival at
selected parts of entry by the Nigerian Immigration Service.
According to Enelamah, to fast track clearing of goods at the ports,
all agencies preset at the ports have been directed to harmonize their
operations into one single interface station in one location at the
ports, adding that the Nigerian Ports Authority has commenced 24 hours
ports operation.
“The order is to ensure more transparency and fast-tracking of the
processes of licensees and business approvals in Nigeria.
Consequently, all Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies have
started publishing complete lists of timeliness, conditions and
requirements for obtaining permits, licenses and approvals.
“As a result of the Executive Order, ordinary Visitor’s business visas
are now issued within 48 hours within Nigeria and in our embassies
abroad. Also eligible prospective investors and business visitors have
been given the opportunity for visa on arrival at selected parts of
entry by the Nigerian Immigration Service.”
In his goodwill message, the President of the Enugu Chamber of
Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture,{ECCIMA} Pharm. Emeka Udeze
stated that the sensitization workshop was key to dissemination of
information and for direct interface with the business community in
the South east.
He described the development as a pragmatic step to have an in-depth
interaction with the business community in Nigeria for them to
understand the workings of the ratified ECOWAS Investment Code, Policy
and Protocols towards maximizing the attendant trade and investment
opportunities in the West African Sub Region.
