By Dwelleth Morountodun
In what he excitedly described as robust revolutionary move in Nigeria, the DG/CEO, of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Dr. DanAzumi Mohammed Ibrahim, has said the implementation strategy of the Executive Order 5 (EO5) strategy will launch the country on the path of viable and sustainable economic growth using the instrumentality of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI).
Recall that the EO5 was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari in February 2018.
In an interactive session with members of the media at NOTAP Headquarters in Abuja, the NOTAP boss, said the implementation of the Order is key to improving local content in public procurement with Science, Engineering and Technology Components.
According to him, the EO5, is aimed at ensuring that all procuring authorities shall give preference to Nigerian companies in the award of contracts in line with the Procurement Act 2007, adding this also prohibits the Ministry of Interior from issuing visas to foreign nationals that Nigerians have competencies and capabilities to handle in a bid not only to protect and sustain indigenous competencies but to further build capacities as well as enhance their financial base.
Dr. Ibrahim, acknowledged that federal government through the Order mandates NOTAP to develop a robust data base, explaining that the Office will develop, maintain and regularly update a database of Nigerian professionals and expertise in STI locally and outside the country, explaining that database will soon be officially launched to kick-start its official use by MDAs in line with provision of the Act,
Specifically, he stressed that the Ministry of Interior should factor into consideration NOTAP database that warehoused the availability of Nigerian competencies in determining the availability of local skill manpower in STI before granting expatriate quota to work or execute contract in the country.
On the developed database, he expressed confidence that the Office engaged Cagewox Dot Net Limited, an indigenous software developer at the cost of N32 million, adding that the company has developed a robust central platform/database that captures, stores, analyses and provide and reporting capacities on the status and competencies of Nigerian professionals both at home and abroad.
He said: “Presently, NOTAP has more than 7000 manual entries of COREN registered engineering personnel and with the development of the software the data will seamlessly be constantly updated.”
While demonstrating the smooth process of enlistment on the database, he said the platform is a web-based solution which can be accessed through Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsft Edge, Internet Explorer, Safari and Opera on Smart phone and laptop.
The DG while calling on Nigerians experts and professionals to register their profiles through the web-bases solution with the Office on: www.notap.gov.ng or https://dnp.notap.gov.ng for proper documentation in search of indigenous experts in carrying out construction contracts for the development of the country.
According to him, the platform provides a self-service for professional from the comfort of their homes to sign up and create profile accounts at anytime and from anywhere using any of the devices.
The DG, stressed that E05 is a policy in the right direction and has laid a proper foundation for the an industrial, diversified and self-sustaining economy through which total dependence on consumption of foreign technology is reduced, adding that this will help regulate an effective expatriate process.
