Develop ICT For a Better Economy –Akam

Richard Emeka Akam, an accountant by profession is the managing director and chief executive officer of Victory Computer Technologies. Akam who has been in the IT Industry for over 15 years, was in 2007 appointed as the coordinator of Data Information Technologies Association of Nigeria (Ditan). In this interview with nkechi david-iwuchukwu, he spoke of his role in the “Arena” and other industry issues.

Ditan
Ditan simply means Data Information Technologies Association of Nigeria. The association came about because we wanted to bring about professional ethics as entrepreneurs who deal on ICT products, goods and services. Ditan as a voice to its members is an avenue to reach out to the people, an avenue to showcase professional expertise to the world, a platform to showcase activities of members and a channel to drive the wheel of progress of the members to the world at large. The association is open to all those who are in the business of buying and selling of ICT and allied products, consultancy of ICT and those who offer professional ICT services to its clientele. When I was appointed the coordinator of the association in 2007, I championed the course of my members to secure shops at the “Arena”, a multi purpose ultra modern shopping complex at Bolade bus stop, along Agege motor road in Lagos. The Arena is a one stop shopping complex with over 3,500 shops. These shops are segmented into different sections to include; Computer and GSM, Electronics and Accessories, Babies, Clothing, Wares, Beverages and Food Stuffs.
Role of Ditan in the Arena
Ditan as a body helped its members to secure shops at the Arena through a mortgage finance bank. In fact what happened was that Bank PHB financed our members for 100 shops. The 100 shops has been fully paid for by the bank but as I am talking to you now, only 51 shops out of the 100 shops have been allocated to our members and the remaining 49 is yet to be allocated to us. My members are not happy about this development, they are not satisfied with the manner in which the allocation was done in piece meal, hence those members that got allocated at the initial stage could not take off because they want all the members to be fully represented at the Arena since it was a collective project.
On The Part Of Bank PHB
Our members are thankful to the bank for their full financial backing in the Arena project but they are not happy with with the management of the Arena, because the interest from the bank is still running even when the allocation has not been completed. However, we are pleading with bank PHB to try and allocate the remaining 49 shops to our members.
On The Part Of The Arena Management
The management of the shopping complex should look into the cost implication of the project on individuals who have to pay back their loans with the interest on it and try to see that people are not ripped off. The initial cost should not be much, because if it is much, some people might not want to continue with the project and this will affect the take off of the shopping complex.

Missions and Visions of The Association
The missions and visions of the association includes; to foster and promote oneness, progress, equality and social justice among its members, and to promote and protect its members collective interest. Also the association will not relent in its effort to galvanize its members to be good ambassadors and to project its good image positively within and  outside the country. Like I mentioned earlier, membership of the association is open to any individual or firm engaged in the buying, selling and distribution of ICT and allied products, ICT consultancy and those who offer professional ICT services to its clientele.
Fake or Substandard Products
In Ditan, we are very transparent in our dealings in terms of products we sell to our numerous customers and the services we offer to them as well. We do not compromise in the quality of goods we sell and the services we render. I can say categorically that we do not indulge in the sales and services of fake or substandard products but generally speaking about fake or substandard products in the country, Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), has a greater role to play than individuals and associations, because we are aware that there are goods not meant for this country that comes into it.
Quality of Products and Services
Like I said earlier, we do not compromise on the quality of products sold or services rendered because we ensure that our customers get value for their money. I must confess that a lot of big players in the ICT industry are members of Ditan.
Challenges confronting Ditan
Every association face challenges. In Ditan, the association is facing the challenge of finance, because the Arena environment is very conducive and meant for mature business because there are packing spaces for customers and also for members who bring in their containers, as they will off load without harassment from social miscreants popularly known as “area boys”. Also, There is no issue of traffic congestion, and that of street trading because the complex is strategically located.
ICT Growth
ICT industry is presently driven by private individual and there is an urgent need for the government to look inward, as it will fast track the much needed growth in the industry. The government should develop the ICT industry for a better economy, because if they show more concern in the industry like  reducing tariff on ICT products and accessories, so that the cost to final consumers can be reduced. But let us not forget that the ICT revolution has doubled the volume of business transactions in the industry.