NCS Urges FG To Patronize Local OEMs on 500,000 Laptops for Unemployed

The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has urged the Federal Government to patronize local certified computer manufacturer organizations in their quest to buy 500,000 computers for the 500,000 unemployed graduates.

According to NCS, the Federal Government cannot shy away from this call, especially on the need to curb excessive capital flights in the country.

The umbrella body of computer professionals in the country, re-emphasized as indisputable fact that the present economic downturn of the Nation can no longer sustain the capital flight that the country is known for in time past.

Professor Sola Aderounmu, president of NCS, said that “Outsourcing our ICT needs to foreign organizations cannot be supported by the scarce foreign exchange.

At the just concluded National Conference of Nigeria Computer Society held in Abuja, discussing the Sub theme of the Conference – ‘’Enhancing Security using software systems’’, experts of the profession averred that there is need to have home grown technology instead of relying on the foreign technology to solve our domestic security challenges especially at this time of unstable economy.

The discussants were unanimous in their opinion that Government should look inward and patronize made in Nigeria goods to save our economy from total collapse. They should uphold the Local Content Policy and work with NITDA, and office for Nigerian Content in Information Technology.

“The ICT needs of Government MDAs must be localized”, Aderounmu said, “Presently, Nigeria is blessed with IT experts, who are registered members of NCS both as Corporate Bodies and Individual Members.

“Amongst our corporate members are: Sidmach Technologies Ltd, Dataflex Plc, Computer Warehouse Group Plc, Data Sciences Ltd, Chams PLC, VEDA Technologies, Zinox Technologies Ltd, OMATEK Computers, BETA Computers, RLG Communications, BRIAN Integrated Systems, MainOne Cables, CBC emea, Systemspecs Ltd  and many others.

“In the light of this, we therefore advice the Federal Government to patronize our local certified computer manufacturer organizations in their quest to buy 500,000 computer for the 500,000 unemployed graduates it is in the process of recruiting and deploying to schools and other sectors of the economy. For once, this would shame doubting ‘’Thomas’’ of Government sincerity of purpose.

“Full implementation of the local content policy will definitely create more wealth, resolve the problems of unemployment and build capacity of our youths”.