Omatek boss tips ICT as Nigeria’s major revenue earner

By Michael Eboh
The Managing Director of Omatek Ventures Plc, Mrs. Florence Seriki, has called on the federal government to take advantage of the enormous opportunities presented by the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) segment of the economy.

Speaking during a visit to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), last week, Seriki noted that ICT is capable of becoming a major revenue earner for the country.

She called on the government to create the enabling environment for players in the industry, empowering them to contribute their quota towards the growth and development of the economy, thereby, promoting the much talked about economic diversification.

She tasked the federal government to churn out policies that will support the local content initiative and also encourage local manufacturers of ICT products and services.

She said, “ICT is capable of becoming a major revenue earner for the country, following the examples of Taiwan and India that took bold step over 30 years ago to make hardware and software their major sources of revenue respectively.

Government needs to provide the political will to make this happen, by giving ICT its pride of place through instituting policies that promote local content and encourage indigenous manufacturers as this could lead to job creation and derived factories/Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SME).

She disclosed that since its listing on the NSE, it has continued to make significant impact in the Nigerian ICT sector through its diversified business interest and introduction of innovative products and solutions.

She noted that its diversification made it possible for it to commence the production of Completely Knocked Down (CKD) computer parts, thereby, making it the first factory in Africa to produce computer casings, assembling of computers and notebooks from CKD.

She added that the company has graduated into buying component parts from seasoned first class manufacturers that produce for other foreign brands.

Speaking further, Seriki explained that apart from laptop and desktop computers, it has also diversified into power products, with a 24-hour solar power inverter hybrid solutions among other numerous initiatives.

She said, “Since the listing of the company, we have continued to make steady strides, having entrenched our footprints on the sands of time. In the course of the year, Omatek has made in-roads into other diversified business interests.

“We are known for the introduction of innavative products/solutions and we should be commended for the way we have continued to manage our growth over the years.

“Apart from laptops, desktops and home entertainment products, Omatek has also diversified into power products/24-hour solar power inverter hybrid solutions and also introduced its e-learning initiative to provide a platform to ensure that ICT tools are deployed to schools/classrooms under a carefully structured learning environment equipped with internet connectivity to create a virtual connection between students and teachers, lecturers an students.”