The Association of Information Communication Technology
Local Content (ICTLOCA) is seeking partnership with the Nigeria Information
Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) towards achieving its mandate, reports ITREALMS.
ICTLOCA, ITREALMS gathered is an interest group created for the
advocacy, promotion and protection of interest of local ICT practitioners,
enforcement and implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content
Development (NOGICD) Act and other Local Content guidelines, Executive Orders
and other Local Content Policies of Government on the use and deployment of
indigenous Information Communication Technology products and services in all
sectors of the Nigerian economy for the benefit of local ICT practitioners.
Revealing this to ITREALMS at a one-day third quarterly forum
of NITRA held in Lagos recently, a member of the ICTLOCA, Mr. Adebunmi Akinbo
on “Stimulant
for National Economic Recovery” said that local content is dynamic, cutting
across policies and guidelines,
Consumer Protection Act, transfer of knowledge via multinationals and Nigerian business
community.
Recalling that ICTLOCA was registered since 2015 and has a
Governing Board of the Association inaugurated during the NCCF-ICT meeting
which took place on 9th February, 2017.
The Executive Order of the Acting President in 2017, he
said, gave credence to the purpose of establishing ICTLOCA which is to promote
and protect local ICT businesses.
He stressed that the Executive Order 5 has further
heightened the support for ICTLOCA’s cause as it gave concrete backing to
ICTLOCA’s mission.
“The overall effect of Executive Orders and NOGICD Act is
that they created strong foundation upon which ICTLOCA build its vision of promoting and protecting creators, developers, entrepreneurs and
business within the ICT ecosystem,” he said.
With the signing of the Executive Order 5, he said, they
commenced the development and execution of Convergence Series to aid monitoring
and implementation of the Executive Orders which led to the Local Content 4.0.
He explained that Local Content 4.0 was designed to be a
convergence of all stakeholders, professionals and artisans in the ICT industry
to brainstorm on issues affecting the industry and chart a way forward for
effective implementation of Executive Orders on Local Content, Local Content
Laws and guidelines.
“Also to highlight challenges faced by practitioners in
related sectors of the ICT industry to promote the Nigerian economy and provide
solutions to those issues. Thus, discussion, postulations and actions will be
executed using the ICS,” he pointed out.
The fourth
estate, he said, is a tool that makes change happen when we put our mind to it.
We must ask question not form opinions. We must be logical and tactical, not a
bystander.
“We appeal for your support by
participating at our events and work with us to ensure effective monitoring and
implementation of relevant local content policies and laws to promote increase
in patronage of local ICT goods and services, which would in turn lead to more
economic gains to Nigerians and development of the ICT industry,” Akinbo said.
Chuks Egbune/GEE
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