FG opens N1.5tn reward scheme for IT solutions providers on ease of doing business
As part of new deal to fast track ease of doing business using IT solutions, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has launched registration for the first edition of #PEBECHack, a series of Hackathons designed to solve problems at the intersection of government processes and regulations, and the ease of doing business in Nigeria. Up to N1.5 million in cash prizes will be won, with several other in-kind prizes also up for grabs.
Applicants are to compete on developing IT tools that will promote accountability, performance tracking and transparency among key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) crucial to the success of Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business, at the first #PEBECHack.
A statement from PEBEC noted that “The competing teams would develop a service management solution that will allow citizens monitor, provide feedback, report, make complaints, and ‘blow-a-whistle’ about the quality of service received from key Federal Government Doing Business MDAs or at strategic locations such as airports, seaports and land borders”.
According to the statement, interested #PEBECHack participants can register as individuals or teams on www.ebes.gov.ng/pebec-hackathon between Tuesday May 23 and Tuesday June 6, 2017. The Hackathon itself will hold over two days on June 23 and 24, 2017 in Lagos.
Business Hilights recalls that Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, who is the PEBEC chair, had announced on May 1, 2017 at an event in Lagos that the PEBEC Secretariat would be bringing together techies in a Hackathon to develop a “solution for tracking reforms and getting public feedback… and enable the public to complain directly about government agencies that are making doing business difficult.”
Already, PEBEC Secretariat has finalized arrangements to conduct a survey in the coming days to gather feedback from the public on challenges related to producing, trading and transporting goods within Nigeria. The survey is focused on capturing feedback for key agencies – SON, NAFDAC, NOTAP, MITI Trademarks office, Police and Customs.
