Tech companies, telcos may be included on forex priority list

Technology and telecommunications companies may become the latest addition to the forex priority list of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Speaking on Wednesday while inaugurating the ICT, Computers/Devices Service Centre in Abuja, Adebayo Shittu, minister of communications, said there are ongoing talks with the CBN to achieve this.

During 2016 recession, the CBN had created a forex priority list to conserve forex and ensure that the same is available for important parts of the economy.

Shittu was represented at the event by John Emeawa, director of planning, research and statistics (PRS) at the ministry.

“In this regard, I will proudly say that Nigeria has an array of young people with great energies and creative abilities to launch Nigeria into the league of world leading economies by leveraging on ICTs,” he said.

The minister said the Certified Computer Manufacturers of Nigeria (CCMON) collaborated with the ministry and its agencies in establishing the centre to ensure a competent workforce.

“Our collaboration with CCMON is intended to transform and build the capacity of the workforce in digital literacy and in preparation for a full implementation of the National e-Government masterplan.

“ICT Roadmap and also equip benefitting tech-savvy youths with entrepreneurial and job creation skills.

“I am happy to inform you that the Computer Service Center aligns with the implementation of the federal government’s Local Content Initiative.”

Shittu said the centre will support all systems bought in the public service, saying it was a pilot project of the ministry with plans to be replicated in every MDAs to provide after sales and services support.

“Such after sales support will ensure that computers bought by the government are duly maintained. This will stop all incidents of breakdowns and malfunctioning of computers used for government business.

“Consequently, the centre is for skills acquisition of staff that will provide services to various MDAs.

“The programme, therefore, will save costs for government and eliminate huge maintenance costs in government IT infrastructure.

“I wish to state that our ministry will continue to support CCMON as well as other equipment manufacturers to provide policy direction, who may wish to set up an assembly plant in Nigeria in the future.”