Experts back local ICT tools standardisation
Experts in the ICT industry have called on the federal government to draw a standard framework for the development of ICT tools in the country. The idea according to them will encourage manufacturing and increase demand for local brands.
Speaking in Abuja during the official launch of the consumer contribution and complaints platform for ICT products and services by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the President of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA), Mrs. Mary Uduma said that government need to ensure that developers of local ICT tools adhere to the International Organisation Standard (ISO), in the manufacturing of software and hardware products in the country.
She said “We need to look at standard in trying to digitalise Nigeria; the technology must conform to the international standard, but made in Nigeria.”
Uduma further said that the government must ensure standard in the inter-operability of ICT products to guarantee consumers satisfaction. According to her, if a consumer cannot get satisfaction for a product paid for, then you have fraudulently collected such person’s money.
The president, commended the NITDA for setting up a consumer complaints unit to resolve issues of sub-standard products saying that the initiative is a wake up call to vendors to manufacturers and operators of ICT products.
She tasked the government to create a link of communicating the proper standard of ICT tools to consumers in order to enhance their awareness about the quality and standard of these products to revive market confidence.
Speaking, Director-General of NITDA, Prof. Cleopas Angaye recalled that the purpose of creating the contribution and complaints platform is to enable users of IT facilities report cases of inferior products, discourage consumers from patronising pirated products and to promote the development of efficient IT products in the country.
Angaye said, “Developing a nation wide computing infrastructure based on hardware and software standards greatly improves the day to day functions of government and business offices and improves the operations and interactivity among users.”
“The provision of IT standards facilitates exchange of information and documents with current computer technology system and other interfacing network connectivity environment,” Angaye added.
Filed Under: ICT
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