Experts Carpet ICT Draft Policy

Mrs. Omobola Johnson, Minister of Communications Technology, weekend may have unwittingly got more than she bargained at the public presentation of the new national information communication technology (ICT) policy draft as several stakeholders and IT professionals carpeted the document for not being far reaching enough, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek can report. The minister had opened the session by declaring that KPIs (key performance indicators) and time lags were deliberately left out of the document as these would grow along in the line of development. The session was convened as a town hall meeting to access public views on the document which had been displayed online for interested groups/persons to submit memoranda. Several persons had chosen the window of opportunity to send in their presentation. But the town hall meeting was another session aimed physically feeling the pulse of the ICT community to the document. Several individuals opened up with frank talks on key omissions in the draft policy. Mrs. Florence Seriki, managing director and chief executive officer, Omatek Computers, the document as failing to meet stakeholders’ expectations in terms of growing an ICT based institution for onward manufacturing, especially through small and medium enterprises schemes. “No ICT document will be such flourishing if it fails to recognize the importance of manufacturing revolving round ICT, diversification of manufacturing. An ICT based institution may not be fruitful without manufacturing, particularly at SMEs level,” said Seriki. Seriki who also represented the information technology association of Nigeria (ITAN) at the meeting reasoned that the documents failure to have imprints on local content could not be brushed aside. “The need for a concerted effort to ensure local content, or locally based manufacturing blueprint cannot be over emphasized. As it is the draft policy is in short of this aspect economic development, especially as we are targeting national Vision 20:2020 goal,” she enthused. Dr. Vincent Asor, chairman, education and manpower service, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) lamented that implementing the policy as it is portends the collapse of other regulatory bodies. He advised the committee to engage circumspect means that will prevent legal tussle springing up during the implementation stage. Dr. Asor called for more emphasis on computer and broadband penetrations, internet governance and other outsourcing mechanism. “Nigeria Computer Society had produced a policy document for ICT sector in Nigeria. There is a need for us to look at the policy and other existing ones to encourage the academia, investors and outsourcing,” said Asor. Deolu Ogunbanjo, president of the National Association of Telecom Subscribers (NATCOM), pointed out that the ministry should tread with caution as the draft policy could run foul of existing legal instruments. He cited session 23 of the Nigeria Communications Act 2003 which reads in part that during the formulation, determination and monitoring of the general policy for the communications sector in Nigeria, the “Minister shall amongst others, ensure the utilisation of the sector as a platform for the economic and social development of Nigeria; 24. –(1) Prior to the formulation or review of the general policy for the Nigerian communications sector, the Minister shall cause the Commission on his behalf to first carry out a public consultative process on the proposed policy formulation or modification. (2) in formulating and determining the policy or amendments thereto, the Minister and the Council shall take into consideration the findings of the consultative process under subsection (1) of this section.” Ogunbanjo, who queried the essence of the gathering, added that the new draft policy should include consumers’ protection, in terms of improved quality of service, security of investments and lasting solutions to multiple-taxation that has placed firms in tight corners. In her closing, Mrs. Johnson noted that despite the divergent opinions, some of which were very vocal and critical of the document, it was a worthwhile meeting. She noted that the ministry would go back with the positives and do necessary amends. She however sharply disagreed with some expressed opinions that the ministry thread cautiously to avoid pitfalls. “The forum is to receive additional inputs from you (the stakeholders) and the end result is to have ICT policy thrust that will shape the functionality in the country. However, we are in a hurry, especially in having an ICT Ministry in a country that wants to develop. The world is not waiting for us to do catch-up. We have to hurry and catch-up with nations that have left us behind,” said Johnson. The ministry is to convene another stakeholder’s forum in six months for an appraisal on the progress made since the March session.