Omatek partners banks, telcos on e-Xpress

Remmy Nweke

LEADING Personal Computer (PC) manufacturer in the country, Omatek Computers Limited, is partnering three banks and two telcos on its e-Xpress scheme.

This deal would facilitate acquisition of Internet-connected PCs through e-Xpress.

Managing Director, Omatek, Mrs. Florence Seriki, disclosed this in a chat with newsmen at the factory in Oregun-Lagos, and said her company has negotiated funds specifically to boost the scheme from three top banking institutions, namely, Skye Bank, Wema and First Bank, while collaborating with Starcomms and Glo to bundle the offering with Internet access.

The scheme, which has four components comprise of e-Consumer, e-Tertiary, e-Mobile and e-Youth, are targeted at various segments of the society.

Mrs. Seriki noted that the partnership was in furtherance to ease the process of owning PCs by Nigerians by her firm.

“The scheme would help to improve the nation’s Personal Computer penetration,” she said.

She explained that participation in the scheme is open to all Nigerians who are ready to pay a monthly installment over a 12-month period through post-dated cheques paid up front.

Stressing that Omatek negotiated funds purposely for the acquisition of computers with a low interest attached to repayment by beneficiaries.

Also, she said that the e-Consumer initiative, for instance, is Omatek’s contribution to accelerate the uptake of digital technologies.

“It is to ease the acquisition mode of the average citizens toward owning their own computers and to enhance the technical competence, effectiveness and continued professional development of Nigerians,” Mrs. Seriki declared.

On the e-Tertiary, she said, Omatek introduced this initiative to compliment the e-learning projects in universities by encouraging lecturers and students alike with the opportunity to own PCs.

This, she said, would address the current low level of skills in the Information Technology (IT) literacy and contribute to the empowerment of Nigerian youths in its quest for a digital revolution.

Additionally, Omatek boss disclosed collaboration with both Starcomms and Glo mobile to provide Internet connectivity anywhere, anytime, under its e-Mobile initiative.

Beneficiaries of this initiative, she said, will acquire an Omatek notebook already equipped with an internet modem card; a Global Packet Radio Service (GPRS) or Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) wireless modem.

Equally on the e-Youth, Mrs. Seriki said, it’s being positioned as a Catch-Them-Young initiative towards empowerment of the youths and bridging the digital divide that currently exists between the nation’s future leaders and their counterparts in other parts of the world.

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