The National
Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reorganised the
process of registering and certifying indigenous Information Technology (IT) Original
Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs),
other government establishments, reports ITRealms.
Disclosing this to ITRealms, the Director-General cum chief
executive officer (CEO), NITDA, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, said it has become
imperative to bring this to the notice of all stakeholders including organised
private sector and public at large.
Also, a press statement made available to ITRealms, Dr. Pantami was quoted as saying
that this reorganisation became necessary considering the incessant complaints
received from consumers of indigenous IT devices.
“It is also aimed at facilitating and
ensuring adherence to world class standards. This will guarantee the quality
and durability of locally assembled devices,” he said, stressing that NITDA
will henceforth mandate quality after-sales-support as a significant part of
the registration and certification process and as mandatory part of the operations
of all indigenous OEMs.
For this, he said, all previously
registered indigenous IT OEMs whose certifications have expired should note
that continuance of sale of machines and equipment not tested and certified by
NITDA is a violation of existing rules and procedures of the Agency. They are
therefore advised to initiate the recertification process with immediate
effect. We also call on all customers to demand current certification of NITDA
before devices are purchased from indigenous OEMs.
As said by him, all other entities desirous
of assembling and selling IT devices in Nigeria should also apply to the agency
for registration and certification.
Pantami further said that interested
entities should note that only NITDA registered indigenous OEMs are entitled to
the reliefs and incentives as contained in the Regulatory Guidelines for
Nigerian Content Development in Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
2013. The certification process of OEMs and the Regulatory Guidelines for
Nigerian Content Development in ICT 2013 are issued and implemented pursuant to
Section 6 of the National Information Technology Development Act 2007.
NITDA, ITRealms recalls was created in
April 2001 to implement the Nigerian Information Technology Policy and
co-ordinate general IT development and regulation in the country. Specifically,
Section 6(a & c) of the Act mandates NITDA to create a framework for the
planning, research, development, standardization, application, coordination,
monitoring, evaluation and regulation of Information Technology practices,
activities and systems in Nigeria; and render advisory services in all
information technology matters to the public and private sectors.
Chuks Egbune/GEE
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