Recession: NCS advises FG to patronise local ICT manufacturers, experts

The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has called on the Federal Government to rely on home-grown technology instead of turning to foreign technology to solve the country’s domestic challenges, especially at this time of unstable economy.

The president of the NCS, Professor Adesola Aderounmu, in a statement at the weekend said it was an indisputable fact that the present economic downturn in the country could no longer sustain the capital flight that the country is known for in time past.

Aderounmu said outsourcing the country’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) needs to foreign organisations could not 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 in the profession averred that there was the need to have home-grown technology, instead of relying on 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 patronise made in Nigeria goods to save our economy from total collapse. They should uphold the Local Content Policy and work with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the office for Nigerian Content in Information Technology. The ICT needs of government MDAs must be localised,” he said.

He pointed out that Nigeria is blessed with ICT experts, who he said are registered members of the NCS, both as corporate bodies and individual members.

“Among 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,” he added.

He advised the government to patronise locally certified computer manufacturer organisations in its quest to buy 500,000 computers for the 500,000 unemployed graduates it is in the process of recruiting and deploying to schools and other sectors of the economy.

According to him, a full implementation of the local content policy will definitely create more wealth, resolve the problems of unemployment and build capacity of our youths.