As part of efforts to boost local content in enforcing the Presidential Directive on Digital Switch Over, an indigenous technology firm, RLG Adulawo Technology City, Ilesa, Osun State has produced and delivered to the Federal Government, 260,000 TVE Setup Boxes.
The boxes, codenamed FREE TV, licensed under the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, were assembled at the factory’s plant.
The Managing Director of the technology firm, Mr. Tosin Ilesanmi stated this on Thursday, while receiving a delegation from the National Population Commission (N.P.C), who were on inspection of the facility in Ilesa, ahead of a partnership with the commission for the production of digital devices, for the 2023 Population Census.
He said from inception till date, the company has been at the forefront of advancing the campaign towards the patronage of local content by government and other stakeholders, as well as, proven successes in earlier projects.
Ilesanmi noted that: “RLG is setup to do local content. We are ISI and SON certified, assuring the NPC and other partners that we can deliver standard products. We met that capacity when we were dealing the Federal Government when we were doing the digital switch over. We also met the same quality when we delivered the N-Power project, we have worked for Airtel, GLO. We are also currently working with StarTimes and we have delivered quality.
“The quality I’m saying is what I can assure you because it is of local and international standards. We will be able to meet up with the standards of the National Population Commission within the time frame. We have 2 straight lines and 2 automated lines, that will make production more faster and of good quality. We are currently doing 30,000 devices per month for StarTimes with a single line. Knowing that this is a national assignment which we have to deliver, we can assure that we will meet them where they want to be met.”
The Chairman, RLG Adulawo Technology City, Ilesa, Alhaji Rasaq Animashaun stressed further that the company is ready for alliances with reputable partners, in ensuring that Nigerians enjoy more of quality technology produced locally.
He was of the opinion that the NPC/RLG partnership will promote indigenous technology and local content, retain jobs directly and indirectly, as all the devices will be assembled at RLG facility and the aftercare will be in partnership with local technicians nation wide adding that NPC can take credit for reversal of capital flight as well as be in charge of championing adherence to Local Content Executive order.
Leader of the N.P.C. Inspection Team and Chairman of the ICT Committe of the agency, Dr. Clifford Zirra expressed confidence in the ability of the facility to deliver on its mandate, noting that talks are underway to ensure a smooth partnership.
Zirra, a federal Commissioner of the National Population Commission representing Adamawa state, further hinted that the commission is prepared to mobilise the needed logistics for the success of the exercise.
“We are a pacesetter. We are now going to conduct a digitized census for the first time, in the history of Nigeria and the history of Africa, we want to do something very acceptable and of great standard. That is why we want to associate ourselves with people who can give us value, value that would add to our work.
“We have a lot to do in terms of mobilisation, manpower and logistics to do the census, next year. That is why we are here to look at what they have. For now, we have a team of Federal Commissioners, the Director General and the management staff, who are vast in this area and know what we need. We are discussing and by the time we reach the bridge, we will cross it over. We have a lot to do in ensuring that logistics, manpower and personnel and everything involved are available on time. We have started discussions and we pray that they meet our specifications.
“We are here because of the local content. But of course, the local content has to meet standards for us to get it right. We will also ensure that in line with presidential directive, we will ensure compliance with standards in making sure that standard is maintained.”