Check Foreign Brands Infilteration - Oem’s Tell Government.

Local Original Equipment Manufacturers in the country have called on the federal government to intervene in the manner the foreign computer brand vendors carry on their activities in the country.

According to them, the activities of the foreign brands vendors are highly inimical to the development and survival of the IT sector in particular and technological development in general in the country.

While commending the FG for creating conducive atmosphere to encourage the foreign investors to assist in the development of Information Technology in the country, the OEMs, however expressed disaffection over the abuse of hospitality accorded to the foreign companies under government’s intention of creating a conducive atmosphere for foreign investments.

“We are beginning to notice an undue advantage that is being granted the foreign computer firms who come into the country to take Nigerians for granted.

“It is now common sight to see how the representatives of these foreign brands come to Nigeria and gain easy access to the country’s seat of power, take photographs with high profile state officials in the Presidency, publish them in the National dailies and the next they will begin to bring in their products into the country and camouflaging as OEMs as if that is all that it entails to be one.”

According to the OEMs, the foreign vendors have turned the country virtually into a dumping ground for their brands especially, the outdated ones rejected in advanced countries.

“The far reaching effect of this unwholesome development especially from foreign companies is that it will stifle technological transfer and eventually lead to the demise of the technology in the country, as technological development is not possible in that sort of environment.”

They explained that under the Executive visits, a foreign product is launched and these products are positioned as the choice for key projects especially the education sector. They cited $100 One Notebook per child, the Intel $300 APC Desktops and the new Intel Classmate Notebook are current examples which they said now compete with the LOCALLY MADE COMPUTERS AND DESKTOPS in an unfavourable manner.

“These three systems especially were never accepted WORLDWIDE and the informed decision makers heard that they would be discontinued, but they have continued to be launched elaborately in our dear country even up till this very time.”

The OEMs confirmed that Newer Models had long replaced these so called $ 100 computers and which are available by local OEMs.

The OEMs said: “Nothing is more appalling than to see how much it appears that all the song about local content and the need to promote the culture of appreciating locally made goods is all but turning out to be just lip service.

“What could be more than that if in the same country where slogan on the imperative to patronage of local goods is daily renting the air and you could still wake up and read advertorials in the newspapers especially from a government quarters asking for foreign brands to be supplied to them?.”

The OEMs said that they view this as highly unpatriotic act and very painful because such acts are immensely inimical to their existence, stating they are not given the opportunity to thrive with all the efforts and resources that they daily expend to see that to ensure the country comes out of the woods of technological backwardness.

“You may view this as an SOS but the truth of the matter is that if nothing is done to arrest the situation now, posterity will judge us because our future is right ahead of us. Nation building is achieved when it’s leaders implement good policies and exert the political will to ensure positive growth and development of their country. Therefore, we must not let others chain us forever and continuously determine our fate and existence. How long shall we continue to subjugate ourselves to unhealthy dominance by others?.” Said the OEMs.

They called on all stakeholders in the project Nigeria to rise up to the occasion and begin to make and take quality decisions especially if it will have direct and positive consequences on the future of this great nation.

“The urgent need for us to begin to domesticate every industry cannot be over emphasized, especially the technology sector which most countries of the world now base their might including military, socio-economic and even political.” They said.

They further stated that until there is a change of attitude and the political will on the part of the leadership to provide quality leadership that is bathed in true nationalism that will promote self reliance in our people, the future will catch them gapping and would continue to be subjugated.