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The Executive Vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Eugene Juwah has requested the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, NOTAP, to take necessary actions over the absence of software encoders in Nigeria for the benefit of the industry.
He stated this when the Director General of NOTAP, Dr. Umar B. Bindir and his team paid him a visit at the commission’s headquarter, stressing that there is need for a balance between data base development segment and the encoding area being neglected to the detriment of the balanced growth of the industry.
While appraising the performance of NOTAP in the implementation of its mandate and how it has strived to expand its base for the benefit of the nation, Juwah noted that the NCC is not fully involved in the issue of research and analyses of software but is focused on the assessment of reasonable pricing of software used in the telecommunications industry.
Dr. Juwah also informed the NOTAP team that in dealing with the telecom companies, the Commission treats them with respect as credible companies with internationally corporate governance principles and do not expect them to cheat in their submission.
“Since their accounts are audited by reputable international firms, we have no doubts that they do not cheat”, he said.
In the area of technology acquisition development efforts, the commission’s boss noted that most of the equipments used in the telecom industry like switches and transmission equipment are import-based but the Commission is working to develop local content in some, including the current initiative that has led to the manufacturing of masts in Nigeria, while looking at how to develop the framework in some other areas.
Dr. Bindir, while providing insight into the activities of the agency, said that it has three criteria for approval. The acceptability of the software whereby all approvals are done on the basis of how favorable it is to the nation, secondly, the technical component and how it will benefit Nigeria in the area of research by way of provisioning of the training component and lastly, how its financial content is cost effective to the nation.
