Zaku roots for Made-in-Nigeria PCs

•As SON certifies Omatek

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Alhassan Bako Zaku, has tasked Nigerians to see the call for patronage of Made in Nigeria products beyond clothing, but more in other areas, especially goods manufactured in the country like personal computers.

This is coming as Omatek Computer Limited, weekend, was presented with NIS-ISO 2001 by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), even as SON has exempted Omatek from all its port charges.

Speaking at the presentation and facility visit to Omatek Computer factory at Opebi-Lagos, Dr. Zaku said that Nigerians must patronize made in Nigeria products across board because they are made with some specifics for the country, which are meant to benefit the citizenry.

He congratulated Omatek for coming thus far in the assembling of computers through Knocked Down System, he said that the Federal Government has always tried to encourage local manufacturers despite defaulting few, who abuse the process.

“That is why the federal government is often discouraged privileges are abused by businesses,” he decried, stressing that the Ministry of Science and Technology is determined to partner with the likes of Omatek to reduce cost of its products through engagement of local and internationally certified engineers in fabrication of components.

He singled out the Omatek solar solution, describing it as an exciting product that is affordable and promised that his ministry would support Omatek in deploying this effectively, mostly in public schools nationwide, so as to further boost the availability of personal computers (PCs) without the attendant electricity headaches.

Equally speaking before presenting the ISO-2001 certificate to Omatek, the Director-General of SON, Dr. John Akanya, expressed happiness over the consistency of the computer company in advancing the standard of its products to always align with the global best principles.

According to Akanya, the NSO certificate is earned based on standards set by the Nigerian government through SON, hence, it is about improving the quality of products manufactured locally.

Nigeria, he said, would soon sign a pact with China to control businesses from that country and to ensure that they meet with standards set by the Nigerian authorities.

SON, he said, has exempted Omatek from all its port charges as part of encouragement to the computer company.

“We need to encourage and support Omatek,” he declared, maintaining that SON would continue to support companies like Omatek, so that they could be able to compete adequately.

He commended the staff of Omatek, for making the award of this certificate feasible and urged them not to despair.

For the Group Managing Director, Omatek Group, Mrs. Florence Seriki, receiving the ISO certificate is an honour her company would continue to cherish for a long time and even sustain it so as to get a higher rating from SON.

She paid tribute to the board, management and staff for this feat and promised to continue the giant stride which the company has made in its over 21 years of operation and transformation from a small scale entity to a public quoted company.

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