CMD tasks NCC, NITDA on local content growth in ICT

THE Centre for Management Development (CMD) has called for collaboration between the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Information for Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to grow the local content potential of the country’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

The Minister of Communications Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson had hinted of plans by the ministry to grow local content in the sector by over 50 per cent by 2017.

Meanwhile at the recently organized Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) forum for operators and the regulator, the Director General of CMD, Dr. Kabir Kabo Usman noted that there was still huge gap in the participation of indigenous IT firms in major ICT and telecoms project in the country.

As such, Usman opined that a more cordial relationship between NCC and NITDA would give recognition to local content development.

According to the CMD DG “to promote local content agenda, there is need for a comprehensive framework, which should be a formal and moderate policy that will give priority to local players. A strong collaboration between NCC and NITDA holds greater potential for unlocking the potential of indigenous operators in the sector.”

Reacting to the call, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, who hinted that growing local content strategy was directly under the purview of NITDA, didn’t rule out working with the agency, stressing that the two bodies are sister agencies.

He said though, NCC was saddled with the responsibilities of providing infrastructure and services in the industry, NITDA has sole local content development agenda for the sector.

The Director General of NITDA, Dr. Peter Olu Jack informed that the agency has unveiled a draft framework and guidelines for Nigerian Content in Information Technology.

According to him, with the growing pressure of globalization, every government as well as captains of industry are charged with the burden of finding ways to ensure that their regions stay competitive and are capable of fulfilling local demand.

“Not only that, but given the wide availability of information technology being created to serve markets world over, it is imperative that the right frameworks be created to enhance the ability of indigenous companies to maximally explore and exploit local opportunities, as well as remain competitive globally.

“Local content aims to achieve the development of local skills, technology transfer, use of local manpower and local manufacturing. It is defined as the amount of incremental value added or created in Nigeria through the utilisation of Nigerian human and material resources for the provision of goods and services in the ICT industry within acceptable quality and standards in order to stimulate the development of indigenous capabilities”, he stated.

Meanwhile, to achieve the objectives set out in this policy document, some key actions have to be taken by government and regulatory bodies in this sector, which include to develop and support programs that will spur the growth and development of a highly indigenous IT industry

Provide funding for initiatives in this sector; create support for innovation and new business creation by providing incentives to Nigerian entrepreneurs; establish platforms that promote the local IT industry and its participants on an international stage; work to strengthen existing legislations that govern the IT industry in Nigeria; support local companies towards the production of high quality and genuine IT products and services that are suitable for the Nigerian market; champion efforts that protect the rights of the Nigerian consumer of IT.