Stories by JONAH NWOKPOKU

Stakeholders in the e-commerce sector have called for sustainability in the policies of the outgoing government on Information Technology.

They argue that the current administration has started plausible policies that demands continuity to continue driving the growth of the sector in Nigeria.

Speaking to Vanguard on the expectations from the incoming government, Founder, Drinks.ng, Lanre Akinlagun said the gains made in the information and communications sector must be sustained through the retention of the current minister of ICT, Dr. Omobola Johnson.

He said: “It is difficult to say exactly what the incoming will do but we in the IT sector do hope that he retains the minister of communication technology because the lady that was there was committed and had lots of plans on ground that are yet to be implemented and do not need to be abandoned. This is because, as this government is leaving, there will be no way to ensure that those laudable plans are followed.”

Also speaking, Founder/CEO Hotels.ng, Mark Essien said: “Buhari’s government should continue the policies launched by the Minister of Communications Technology, Omobola Johnson, which has led to a surge in ‘serious’ e-commerce start-ups.”

He said: “To drive economic growth with special regard to the e-business sector, the Buhari government should create an environment conducive to foreign investment into IT startups.”

He pointed out that, “This election will probably be the best thing that has happened to Nigeria in terms of foreign investment. It does not have to do with Buhari directly, but rather the fact that Africa’s biggest economy had a peaceful election where the sitting president lost, and power was handed over without any issues. The newly elected president is well known for his stance against corruption, and the fact that he could be elected peacefully shows that Nigeria has ‘grown up’ and can now be seen as stable economy.”

On his part, Founder/CEO Privateproperty.com.ng, Femi Taiwo while noting that Buhari’s government must provide electricity, said: “Allocating resources for infrastructural development, while making policies that will assist the growth of the technology sector; for instance giving internet service providers a tax holiday, giving them the go ahead to dig the roads to lay fibre optic cables which will help in bringing down the cost of providing internet access to every Nigerian, remains imperative.”

He added that, “Government must partner with the private sector in creating a fund for technology entrepreneurs so they can have access to capital. This can be done through the means of incubators and research labs.”