How to make ICT policy work, by stakeholders

SERIKIINFORMATION and Communications Technology stakeholders, who discussed the draft ICT policy document at a public forum in Lagos at the weekend, have offered constructive criticisms to make the policy more robust for both the industry growth and Nigeria’s economic transformation.

From simple shortcomings such as the composition of the Ministerial Committee on ICT Policy Harmonisation to complex issues regarding the substance and content of the policy, which experts said lacked depth and not inclusive enough for holistic transformation of the ICT industry, the forum created an ample opportunity for all stakeholders to express their respective opinions about the policy.

The forum was organised by the Communication Technology Ministry to bring industry players from both the public and private sectors together for them to express their views and make necessary comments on how to further improve the contents of the policy document for onward approval for implementation by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) .

According to ICT experts, the draft ICT would require significant improvements for proper harmonization of issues relating to protection and promotion of local PC manufacturers; IT skill development; outsourcing; strategy for ensuring convergence of regulation and broadband penetration.

Speaking at the forum, the President of Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN), Mrs. Florence Seriki said: “The policy should make adequate provision to protect indigenous IT firms in the area of patronage and duty and tax waivers”, stressing that with adequate policy support from the government, local PC manufacturers would be positioned to reduce capital flight in IT sector while providing jobs for many unemployed Nigerians.

Seriki argued that there was no way the ICT policy would make significant impact without developing manufacturing in the IT sector.

She lamented that the policy enjoyed by local Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMS) during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration was no longer there and this was affecting their operations.

To the President, National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS), Mr. Deolu Ogunbanjo, lamented that the draft policy didn’t make enough provisions on how to tackle multiple regulations and taxation in the country.

While urging the ministry to focus on those areas, Ogunbanjo urged the Federal Government to categorise telecoms equipment as critical national infrastructure fully protected by the law.

Corroborating the need for government to encourage local content development, the President, Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Tunji Balogun, called on the Federal Government to encourage local PC manufacturing in the country.

He stressed that this was important if the country wanted to be self-reliant in the area of ICT development like countries such as India and China among others.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Education and Manpower, Nigeria Computer Society, Dr. Vincent Asor, stressed that target and timeline should be provided in the policy towards boosting broadband Internet penetration.

Other areas extensively discussed, which according to the stakeholders, required urgent attention were those centering on the need for the policy to declare access to IT as universal human rights in the country; strategy for encouraging open access software and development of local software sector; internet governance and cyber security and the need to enshrine in the policy adequate protection for telecoms consumers.

They also faulted the policy, saying the draft policy mentioned women and children but failed to state the strategy on how ICT should be used to address their needs; as well as making provision for how ICT can be used to better the lot of the physically challenged persons in the country.