Basic Registry And Information System in Nigeria, BRISIN, has reinstated its commitment towards deepening nigeria’s trade to attain self-reliance and economic development.
Discussing with the solution providers at the just concluded sensitization meeting with industry players in FCT, Director, Economic planning, Research and Statistics (EPRS) Mrs Joy Uzodinma, on her welcome note, highlighted the enormous potential in BRISIN, she described BRISIN as an integrated platform that will enable real-time Collection, Storage and Retrieval of Public/Private Enterprise Data from grass-root.
She encouraged participants to embrace the project as the implementation will attract investors, increase revenue, create job and sustain the economy.
The Director urged every Nigerian to key in to BRISIN, as it is a project that was approved by Federal Executive Council and the implementation of which was scheduled to commence in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), being the pilot state.
The Mandate Secretary, Economic Planning, Revenue Generation, and Public Private Partnership Secretariat (EPRGPPPS), Barr. Chinedu Charles Elechi, revealed BRISIN is the reference point to national development as he highlighted the importance of the project to the nation. He encouraged participants to partner with the project as the implementation is an instrument for the growth of the country.
Barr. Chinedu informed the meeting that the development funds that are allocated for Nigeria is yet to be collected because there is no credible data, information and administrative instrument that can guarantee investment. He said no Nation can survive in this era of Internet cloud without availability of data, hence the Federal Government is requesting State Governments including FCT to establish databank that will provide data of all citizens.
The Mandate Secretary also informed the meeting that the National Assembly, through the Senate is currently promoting a Bill that will be providing Food Stamp for the needy Nigerians. He said the stamp will give the needy the opportunity to purchase food items while food sellers will exchange the Stamp for money in commercial Banks. Elechi said, even if the Senate Pass Bill, it cannot be implemented immediately as the nation does not have data required to drive it.
Barr. Chinedu, while ending his speech, said, FCT is expected to be a replica of the City of London.
On His Part, the team leader of BRISIN Service, Dr. Anthony Uwahin, said BRISIN was conceptualised in Italy and introduced to Nigeria in 1998 and reaffirmed through the G8 in the year 2000. It took five years for the team from Italy to visit the Federal Executive Council of Nigeria as well as the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Nigeria Government.
Dr. Anthony said BRISIN is programmed as PPP Project and in 2006, the Federal Government of Nigeria sent delegates of top government officials to Italy for due diligence and fact finding on the feasibility of BRISIN System. The team was led by Statistician General of the Federation, Prof. Vincent Akinyesoye. In the course of the visit, the following questions were directed to the delegates in Italy.
- HOW DO YOU KNOW YOUR CITIZENS?
- HOW DO YOU KNOW YOUR ECONOMY?
- HOW DO YOU MANAGE YOUR SOCIAL WELFARE, DIFFERENTIATING THE POOR AND PROGRAMMING THE ASSISTANCE?
- HOW DO YOU MINITOR AND COUNTROL CRIME AND TERRORISM IN NIGERIA?
- WHERE IS YOUR DATABASE AS REFERENCE POINT FOR MONITORING.?
Unfortunately, the Nigeria Delegates were not able to answer the questions and when they returned to Nigeria, they submitted a Report of the visit and the President gave provisional approval for adoption and implementation of BRISIN in Nigeria. In consideration of the fact that FCT is the Capital of Nigeria, the Federal Executive Council gave approval for FCT to Pilot BRISIN Project in Nigeria.
Dr. Anthony said BRISIN is a good instrument for economic sustainability, it is more productive than Oil and Gas Sectors in terms of revenue. The implementation of BRISIN will put FCT in same class with best Capitals of Nations worldwide.
The BRISIN leader while ending his speech, congratulated the participants as he believed the sensitization meeting will signal the take-off of BRISIN in FCT.
Speaking further, Mr Lorenzo Santagelo, Director, Dermo Impex Ltd, commended the Federal Government for the positive policies made so far as regards to the implementation of BRISIN.
In his remark, BRISIN will immediately change the perception of everybody including Nigerians in Diaspora from negative to positive on FCT Administration and Federal Government, hence the beginning of change in Nigeria.
One of BRISIN team player, Mrs Ayeye Esiokomo, in her presentation, said BRISIN, which is an acronyms that represents Basic Registry and Information System in Nigeria, is an integrated and all-encompassing system for collection, Storage and distribution of data and information to support the management of the economy and socio-economic development. It facilitates and guarantees regular and continuous assessment and management of population and administrative institutions in Nigeria.
