Stakeholders in the Nigerian Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector have urged the federal government to do everything in its powers to support local content in ICT.
This is coming on the heels of a recent report that some ministries will be spending a significant part of their budget on the importation of foreign software as a result of wastage and penchant for technology importation of locally available technologies.
The Director General, Delta State Innovation Hub, Chris Uwaje, called on federal government to create national strategy on software development as well create a park where people can work and come out with productive output.
He noted that Nigerian technology space is underfunded and unprotected and thereby urged the government to ensure that 10% of its national budget is earmarked for the development of ICT sector in the country.
He explained that local content development is a topical issue in the country, stressing that local content is when a product is developed in Nigeria by Nigerians or anywhere else in the world but the product does not require foreign remittance.
Uwaje, commended Systemspecs for developing Treasury Single Account for the federal government, noting that they deserve national merit award for harmonizing government accounts into one.
He also called on government to build knowledge labs in our schools to ensure bottom up growth for our children in ICT development. Nodding in agreement, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, director general, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), assured stakeholders at a recent event that his agency will encourage local software.
“I assure you that NITDA will do all it can within its powers to ensure no single kobo of the Federal Government will be spent on acquiring technology that local and capable alternatives exist.“We have charged our local content office (ONC) to continue to be vigilant in surveillance and to be agile in driving enforcement of the Guidelines for Nigerian Content Development in ICT.
In another development, participants at the just concluded “Technology as Aa Catalyst: Ease of Doing Business 2018 Conference” have stressed the need to leverage on technology in order to create the much needed enabling business environment in the country.
Speaking at the event, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah, minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, stated that we must leverage on technology if we want to ensure sustainable change in the country.
He added that we should create the right enabling environment for businesses to thrive, adding that we need to leverage on technology in order to reduce cost of running business. Enelamah applauded the organizer for putting the event together; stressing that if the outcome of the event is taken seriously could produce positive change in the country.
Acting Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Azuka Azinge, extol the benefits of using technology in running the commission.According to her, technology have played a pivotal role in streamlining the inter agency partnerships between them and other government agencies.
She added that technology has made it possible for applicants to do their company registration online without coming to CAC office.
She also revealed that technology has made it possible for the commission to run 24 hours registration, which they were not doing before.
“We have used technology to collaborate with MDA’s. We have been able to use technology to disseminate information through social media, like facebook, twitter and instagram.
“Online payment is now available at the commission because of technology.“Technology has changed the face of how we do business now,” Azinge concluded.
Corps Marshal and Chief Executive, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, said that the FRSC over the years have leveraged on technology in deploying its services in the country.
He noted that the deployment of technology have given them international recognition.
“Technology has made it possible for you to sit at your homes and renew your driver’s license.
“We also have deployed technology in solving major crash incidences being witnessed in the country, with the deployment of speed limit devices, to commercial bus operators in the country.
“Technology again has helped us solve the issue of payment, today you can make payment to us within the comfort of your home,” he added.