The digitization of development permit issuance and payment processes to boost the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state is underway, with a presentation to the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Renewal, Hon. Sunday Tatabuzogwu.
The presentation was made at the ministry’s headquarters at Prof. Chike Edozien Secretariat, Asaba by experts from Infobyte Technologies Nigeria Limited and was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Charity Ehimen, directors, Area Planning Officers (APOs) and entire staff of the ministry.
Tatabuzogwu welcomed the team of ICT experts and enjoined them to be ready to work with his ministry through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
He expressed hope that the partnership would engender greater reforms in the sector in line with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori administration’s MORE Agenda.
During the strategic engagement, Ehimen and the ministry’s directors listened keenly to the presentation and asked key questions for a seamless and effective implementation at its eventual take off, while the PS said she was thrilled at the prospect of improved IGR generation by the ministry.
Speaking in detail, Mr. Nwosu Ejikeme of Infobyte Tech, described it as a transition to a web-based system, from application by corporate organizations and the general public, to the review and approval of development permits across the state as soon as demand notices drop.
Ejikeme outlined the benefits to the state to include improving the turnaround time, plugging any existing revenue leakages through a highly automated process, saying that even if a payment fails, it can be easily traced and promptly rectified.
Others are eliminating sharp practices, improved regulatory compliance, reduced operational cost, data driven planning which is key for management, quick decision making, convenient online access by the public, faster approvals and enhanced trust in government.
