In its bid to ensure the usage of local content especially in technology for the success of the 2023 National Population Census, the leadership of the National Population Commission (NPC), on Thursday, visited the Nigeria factory of an indigenous technology firm, RLG Adulawo, in Ilesa, Osun State.
The inspection was part of efforts of the commission to ensure that next year’s census is conducted, in compliance with the Presidential directive on local content as well as global best practices, especially in the area of technology.
The team toured the various sections of the RLG Adulawo Technology City, Ilesa factory, including the Assembly lines, testing centres and workshops sections, where ICT gadgets are produced.
The city also boast of a Training Institute which uniquely produces the needed skills required to service the ICT devices sector. The Team witnessed live assembly of Set Top Boxes (decoders) for one of the major cable TV providers for the country as well as the factory efforts in local assembly for Nigerian made electric meters.
RLG Managing Director, Mr Tosin Ilesanmi, while showcasing the devices done so far by the firm, as well as the daily assembly capacity of the factory, assured the visiting Team of RLG’s readiness, capacity and track record to deliver world class devices required to power the coming 2023 census.
Ilesanmi added that the factory is well equipped with both manual and automated assemblage lines, that is capable of delivering world class products and hand held devices, that will aid the success of the 2023 National Population Census.
He said over the years, the factory has successfully made products for the Federal Government through N-Power, FREE TV as well as StarTimes, and training over 20,000 Youths of Osun State, under the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme Technology (OYESTECH), among others.
Addressing journalists after the inspection, which had in attendance the Federal Commissioners of NPC, Hon. Darlington Okereke, Dr. Clifford Zirra and Senator Mudashiru Husain, the Director General of the agency, Mr. Tellson Ojegun, and other top echelon of the agency in attendance, Dr. Zirra told newsmen that the facility tour was to ensure that the agency contracts the best hands to do the job.
Zirra added that the commission will ensure the partnership with competent Nigerian companies like RLG to encourage local content, towards making the forthcoming National Census hitch free, and acceptable to all Nigerians.
“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 what we need but we are discussing and by the time we reach the bridge, we will cross it over. We have started discussion and we pray we get it on time.
“We will also ensure that in line with presidential directive, we will ensure compliance with standards in making sure that local content is optimised to the best of standards.”
Corroborating him, other members of the team, lauded and expressed satisfaction over the factory’s readiness for the project.
Earlier in a welcome address, the chairman, RLG Adulawo Technology City, Ilesa, Alhaji Rasaq Animashaun, noted that the company is open to partnerships and alliances with governments and relevant stakeholders in ensuring that Nigerians enjoy more of quality technology produced locally.
He said 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.
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