The Ministry of Communications in collaboration with Certified Computer Manufacturers of Nigeria (CCMON) is proposing to establish System Repairs and Service Centre to repair locally made computers in the ministry.
The centre will later be set up in other Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs).
A statement by the Director of Press in the ministry, Mrs Pauline Sule, made this known on Monday in Abuja.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Abdullahi Mashi disclosed this when he received Certified Computer Manufacturers of Nigeria (CCMON) in his office recently.
Mashi said the ministry was discussing with CCMON on the initiative to set up a Service and Repair Centre (SRC) for locally made computers for the ministry.
He said that the synergy was necessary following the Executive Order No 003 issued by the Federal Government for Ministry Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to patronise products and services of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEMs).
He said that the synergy was also one of the resolutions adopted at the just concluded National Council on Communication Technology (NCCT) in November, 2017 in Katsina.
“The council adopted the policy of optimising ICT local content and empowering local business in the ICT Sector and also approved the establishment of computer After-Sale Services centres in MDAs and After-Sale Support provision for staff in service level agreements.
He said the ministry was deploying ICT to drive the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), an enabler of economic recovery and growth.
Mashi said that there were potential benefits of this service and repair centre initiative which would create more wealth, build capacity among staff.
He said that the centre would also provide tools and equipment necessary to access and use ICT for self improvement and service productivity by developing and leveraging a smart globally competitive workforce and digitally literate population.
Mashi commended the initiative of the manufacturers, adding that it would help in building local capacity in the service, resolve problems of unemployment and capacity building for the youths.
Earlier the leader of the delegation, Mr Bode Pedro thanked the perm sec for granting them audience, stressing that the collaboration would quicken progress on the principles behind the Executive Order by the Federal Government on local content.
He said that the partnership would also have fit for purpose workforce in the service as well as training and certifying personnel of the ministry on ICT.
Pedro said that CCMON had the capacity to equip the service and repair centre in the ministry and other MDAs.
He said CCMON was ready to provide tools and equipment necessary to access and use ICT for self improvement and service productivity.