FG to Enforce Patronage of Local ICT Products

Federal government has begun move to ensure that ministries, departments and agencies implement its policy on patronage of local equipment manufacturer (OEM) of computers.

Dr. Olusegun Aganga, minister of Trade and Investment, stated this during a visit to Omatek Ventures plc factory in Lagos.

He said that the move has become necessary in view of none compliance to that policy of the federal government to encourage local brand through patronage.

“Federal government has a policy mandating MDAs to patronize local brand in different sectors what we have resolved is to issue a memo to ensure that the policy is monitored and complied with by the MDAs,” he added.

He noted that no country can develop with promoting information and communications technology (ICT), as ICT is a major part of economic development.

Aganga however, disclosed that government will soon release a National Industrial Revolution Plan which is aimed at increasing productivity through removal of barriers to productivity such as access to finance, improvement of power supply and patronage of local brands.

Earlier, Florence Seriki, chief executive officer, Omatek Venture plc, said that the country can not achieve development and job creation with manufacturing, noting that what Omatek Venture has achieved especially in the alternative power solution where they have reduced power consumption by 85% is as a result of partnership with some Asian companies.

Oscar Onyema, chief executive officer, Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) said that Omatek is one of their proudly listed companies and urged the computer manufacturer to come for ‘Facts behind the Figures’, as well as to raise capital from the stock exchange through ‘Rights Issue’.

Sunny Nwosu, president of shareholders Association, decried preference for foreign brands in the choice of computers by ministries. He cited recent advert by Police Commission where the Commission specified foreign computer brand for those seeking to supply computers to the Commission.