CC image coutersy of 757Live on Flickr.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has identified instability in electricity supply in Nigeria as a major setback to the local manufacture of phones in the country.
Tony Ojobo, the NCC’s director of public affairs, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) provision of a reliable power supply is a major prerequisite phone manufacturers require before they can invest in Nigeria.
“The issue of power has to be addressed before we begin to manufacture phones because power plays a very critical role in manufacturing,” he said.
“Cell phones use microchips and other software; it is not a thing that you can manufacture when the light goes off. Any interruption when the production process is ongoing may cause monumental damage, meaning that the cost of such phone will be too high because manufacturers are not charity. There are automations that are programmed on the computer and without light, it can’t be achieved.”
He said currently phones are only assembled in Nigeria, not manufactured, due to a large extent to the non-availability of a policy that would make it mandatory for companies to manufacture phones in Nigeria.
“The issue of production of phones in Nigeria was a policy issue, but as at now there is no Act that says phones that will be sold in Nigeria should be manufactured in the country,” he said.
