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Tag: licensing

  • Furore over registration, licensing of IT contractors

    Furore over registration, licensing of IT contractors

    Two groups, the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), are at loggerheads over the registration and licensing of Information Technology (IT) contractors. LUCAS AJANAKU writes on what the development portends to the industry.

    On assumption of office as Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami promised to work tirelessly to realise the  mandates of the agency, which was formed on April 18, 2001, but formally got its legal teeth through the NITDA Act of 2007.

    In his inuaugural address to workers, Dr Pantami said: “NITDA, as you all know, is a very strategic agency. It is one of the most knowledge-based government institutions that requires a harmonious blend of knowledge and creativity.

    Section 6 of the enabling law establishing the NITDA and the Nigeria Outsourcing Policy and Institutional Framework for Nigeria (Paragraph 3.3) clearly encapsulates the general thrust of the objectives and functions of the agency. To paraphrase Section 6, the law empowers the agency to plan, develop, co-ordinate and monitor all matters relating to IT practices, activities and systems in Nigeria.

    This is further reinforced in the National Outsourcing Policy and Institutional Framework for Nigeria, which provides that: “The overall policy objective is the promotion of an enabling institutional, legal, regulatory, technological and infrastructural environment for the sustainable development of the outsourcing sector in Nigeria.”

    Perhaps pursuant to his desire to work his talk, he raised the alarm over the failure of Information Technology (IT) projects in government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). He lamented that 95 per cent of IT projects’ security in the MDAs is compromised.

    Pantami said part of the measures would be the licensing of all IT contractors and service providers for the purposes of procurements, public private partnerships (PPP) and other forms of engagements.

    Pantami said: “The management of NITDA would like to bring to the attention of all IT contractors, MDAs, other government establishments, the organised private sector (OPS) and the general public that it has put measures in place to register and license all IT contractors and service providers for the purposes of procurements, PPPs and other forms of engagement with government establishments and private sector.

    “The Agency is dismayed at the raising number of failing IT projects within Federal MDAs and other government establishments. NITDA’s investigations revealed that over 90 per cent of IT projects in MDAs and other government establishments failed and more than 95 per cent of their security is compromised.

    “In order to curtail this and in line with the Agency’s mandate and the recent Presidential Executive Order 005 for Planning and Execution of Projects, Promotion of Nigerian Content in Contracts and Science, Engineering and Technology, as mandated by President Muhammadu Buhari, the registration and licensing of IT contractors and service providers have become expedient.”

    He continued:”The process aims at ensuring the emergence of robust indigenous IT service providers and contractors, guaranteeing the delivery of sustainable IT projects as well as engendering professionalism in the IT service industry.

    “The process will also ensure that IT projects in MDAs will only be executed by indigenous companies where in-country capacity exists. As part of the process, NITDA will monitor and ensure the capacity development of Nigerians employed by IT contractors and other service providers.

    “Furthermore, the Agency will, in conjunction with relevant agencies, investigate any project that has failed to determine the root cause of the failure and apply sanctions where necessary or to refer such cases to other relevant authorities.

    “All firms desirous of providing IT services and contracts to Federal MDAs and other government establishments are advised to initiate the registration process with immediate effect. Guidelines on the registration process can be accessed by visiting NITDA’s website.   Alternatively, an applicantion can be written to the agency in order to initiate the process.

    He added:”Interested entities should note that only NITDA registered firms and companies will be recognised as having capabilities for the provision of IT services to Federal MDAs and other government establishments. All MDAs and other government establishments are advised to consult NITDA before any IT firm is engaged for the purpose of providing IT related services.”

    Reacting to the development, the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS) kicked against Pantami’s move to register and licence IT contractors in the country.

    Its President, Adesola Aderounmu said it is not part of NITDA’s mandate because as the name suggests the agency is to plan, promote and develop regulatory framework and guidelines as stated in NITDA Act 2007, Section 6a.

    “The Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) Act 49 of 1993 is saddled with the mandate to register, license, supervise and control the profession as stated in CPN Act Section 1 (2).”

    Prof Aderounmu warned that the NITDA’s policy statement was capable of confusing the general public to create an uncoordinated approach to policy issues and both Acts of Parliament as stated earlier. NCS, he said, believes that NITDA’s mandate is to ensure seamless cooperation and interaction towards the use of IT as a development tool for the country.

    The NCS commended the approach and wisdom of the Presidential Executive Order 005 Buhari, which emphasises professionalism.  “The Public Procurement Act 2007 with particular reference to Section 19 if properly implemented will promote best practices professionally. “On a related note the CPN Act Section 22, states that failure to engage professional practitioners is an offence in Nigeria punishable under the Act.

    “We, therefore, advise NITDA in our advocacy capacity not to embark on registering and licensing of IT contractors and service providers (Registered IT professionals) activities and instead concentrate on developmental issues, which we believe can be jointly achieved collaboratively. CPN is the only agency with the mandate to register and license IT professionals and contractors in Nigeria.

    NITDA has said it will go ahead with the registration and licensing of contractors, saying several indigenous contractors and service providers have commenced the process of registration with NITDA, adding that the agency appreciates all those that have initiated the process. “It clearly shows their commitment to the growth and development of the IT sector,” NITDA said.

    While it said NCS was correct that the Computer Professionals (Registration Council) of Nigeria as a council has the mandate to control and supervise the (Computing) profession as provided by Section 1(2) of the Computer Professionals (Registration council of Nigeria) Act, it argued that the registration of IT contractors and service providers by NITDA is in line with its mandate as specifically stated in Section 6 (a,f) NITDA Act 2007.

    It argued further that the section mandates it to create a framework for the planning, research, development, standardisation, application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and regulation of IT practices, activities and systems in Nigeria. It is also to render advisory services on all IT matters to the public and private sectors.

    “Therefore, it is within the regulatory and developmental role of the NITDA to ensure that IT contractual practices and project delivery in the public sector are done in accordance with best practices, within acceptable standards and in the interest of the development of IT in Nigeria.

    “Furthermore, the agency, as the clearance house for IT projects of the Federal Government, has the responsibility to ensure that IT projects are executed by professional firms. NITDA as a regulator will not relent in its quest to improve IT practices and expose projects that are ill conceived or poorly executed,” the agency said.

    The agency assured all that it will not allow sub-standard projects in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) being executed by companies that have limited or no capacities. “The registration process will therefore ensure professionalism in IT service delivery, value for national investments in IT and to weed out quacks who may seek to take advantage of public procurement for selfish interests. The process will also provide a detailed database of indigenous IT capabilities in Nigeria to guide the government in planning IT projects and for the promotion of Nigerian content through appropriate use of public sector spend in IT. Furthermore, the process will lead to a review of failed projects with a view to curating knowledge on factors that may have led to the failure. NITDA in partnership with other relevant authorities shall take appropriate action where fraud may have led to failure,” NITDA explained.

    The NCS has insisted that only the CPN has power to register and licence IT contractors. Prof Aderounmu, who quoted the relevant sections of the law that created CPN, said NITDA is an agency charged with the responsibility of developing the appropriate framework and policies for the smooth running of the industry.

    He said if public sector IT projects had been awarded to contractors registered with CPN, they most likely would not have failed on the massive scale the NITDA DG alleged. He added that the appropriate step the NITDA sould have taken was to report the erring contractors to the CPN and not usurping the duties constitutionally assigned to CPN.

    He said the provisions of Act 49 of June 1993 gave the CPN the mandate to register and licence IT contractors because Section 2(2) of the Act empowers it to register members.

    “Persons admitted to the membership of the profession shall be registered as members of the profession in various categories, including the corporate member category; (under) CPN Act section 8(1), CPN has the mandate to keep, publish, print the list of all registered professionals and the list is available for inspection for members of the public at all reasonable time. This has been in operation since 1998; while CPN Act section 18(2b) deals with licensing. It prescribes the form of licence to be issued annually.”

    “The call for another registration and licensing of IT contractors by NITDA is tantamount to double registration, which is contrary to the Federal Government’s policy on ease of doing business. Furthermore it may lead to the registration of quacks and non-professionals.

    “Failed and substandard public IT projects cited by NITDA should have been reported to CPN for necessary action. IT contracts should only be awarded to CPN registered members; the list is available online and in accordance with Public Procurement Act 2007.

    “Registering and licensing IT contractors is not within the mandate of NITDA which is to create framework, guidelines and policy to develop IT. When properly implemented, it will solve the problem of unemployment in Nigeria which is the focus of the present administration,” Prof Aderounmu said.

     

     

  • DPR digitalises oil marketers licensing process

    DPR digitalises oil marketers licensing process

    The Department of Petroleum Resource (DPR)  yesterday launched online license processing to checkmate illegal marketers responsible for diverting petroleum products and operating without genuine license.

    At a seminar organised for interaction and education of all independent patroleum marketers on online license processing in Kaduna, the Department said transiting from analogue license processing to digital is necessary, in order for petroleum marketers to do their businesses with ease.

    Speaking to reporters shortly after the event, the DPR Northwest Zonal Operations Controller, Alhaji Isa Tafida said with the introduction of online lincense processing, it will be easier for domestic investors to come in and do their business, and “whatever requirements is needed to be obtained for your organisation is there online.”

    He said the online processing will prevent physical contact between DPR officers and oil businessmen, adding that, “you don’t need to come to me or anybody and start begging to process your license; you can do that by opening your computer in your room and filling the required documents.”

  • WorldRemit praises CBN on licensing of new IMTOs

    WorldRemit, one of the digital remittance service companies licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria to operate money transfer services in the country has applauded the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the action.

    In a statement, the firm said that hundreds of International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) last month suspended their operations in Nigeria, leaving the Nigerian Diaspora to rely on Western Union, MoneyGram and Ria.

    It said that WorldRemit has received a letter of approval from the CBN enabling its digital money transfer services in Nigeria to continue.

    WorldRemit launched its service to Nigeria in 2011 when it pioneered low-cost instant deposits to all bank accounts. The service provided the Nigerian Diaspora with an easy, fast and secure way to send money home as well as bringing much-needed foreign exchange into the local economy. Supporting the country’s move towards a cashless economy, 100 per cent of transactions were either bank deposits or airtime top-ups.

    Founder and CEO of WorldRemit, Ismail Ahmed, said: “We commend the CBN for reaffirming the country’s commitment to building an enabling environment and level-playing field for international money transfer services to Nigeria. The new environment will help to bring the estimated 50 per cent of remittances to Nigeria that currently go through unregulated, informal networks into the formal channels.

    “We’re grateful to the many Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora that supported our call for money transfers to be restored. A competitive remittance market provides Nigerians with greater convenience and better pricing.”

  • Pharmacists Council insists on licensing patent medicine dealers

    •’We ‘re not against regulations but patent dealers’

    The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) has insisted that the patent medicine dealers, also known as “chemists”, must come under its regulations. The Council said those without its licence would be treated as criminal.

    But the patent medicine dealers under the umbrella body of the Nigerian Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED) said it was not against regulation; rather, that PCN’s scope of operation should be expanded to reflect their relevance.

    At its First National Summit, NAPPMED National President, Prince Joel Odoh, said what his members wanted from the government and its regulatory body is a dialogue on the expansion of work that the group should be allowed to do, “for instance, the current PCN regulation guiding the operations of NAPPMED does not allow members to treat certain diseases like diarrhoea. This is a big shortcoming that must be addressed”.

    Odoh said: “Some of the issues we are dealing with have to do with licensing. We don’t have to deceive ourselves- the license PCN is giving the patent dealers does not cover all our operations. That license does not cover treatment of diarrhoea and headache, even for those in the rural areas where serious medical care is urgently required, we can’t give First Aid. NAPPMED is not afraid of regulation but is averse to limiting of its operation, is inimical to its members’ existence.”

    Odoh called for a discussion with the regulatory body.

    He stressed that with over 950,000 members, the group should be given some recognition.

    “Our request is not out of place, we need to be recognised more than before as the first point of contact by patient especially in the rural areas of the country. Our members need to be encouraged to attend continuous educational trainings that will enhance their knowledge in drugs and patient handling.

    “In the area of finance, I plead with the Federal Government to deliberately structure financial assistance to us to enable us increase our purchasing capital which will also be beneficial to the less privileged among us, so we can serve Nigerians better, as we would now be able to take more stock.” he said.

  • CBN: licensing of global money transfer firms ongoing

    CBN: licensing of global money transfer firms ongoing

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday said there is an ongoing licencing of interested International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs).

    This has confirmed the story by The Nation, published yesterday that the regulator is receiving applications from prospective IMTOs.

    CBN’s Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Isaac Okorafor, dismissed allegations that the CBN has stopped licencing the IMTOs.

    He explained in a statement that in spite of its transparency in the licensing IMTOs, some persons have continued to allege that the bank has stopped the exercise.

    “The CBN wishes to state, unequivocally, that it has not foreclosed the licensing of interested players in the IMTO space in Nigeria. Therefore, interested applicants are required to forward their requests for licensing to the Director, Trade and Exchange Department of the CBN, in line with the CBN Guidelines on International Money Transfer Services in Nigeria (2014), which among other things, specifies the minimum technical and business requirements for various participants in the international money transfer services industry in Nigeria,” he said.

    It added:“The CBN remains committed to providing an enabling environment for international money transfer services in Nigeria. It is, however, important to emphasise that a prospective player shall first obtain the requisite licence to operate in Nigeria as an IMTO”.

  • NCC’s proposed spectrum licensing pricing high, say telcos

    NCC’s proposed spectrum licensing pricing high, say telcos

    Telcos have said the pricing for the proposed licensing of spectrum in the new 38 gigahertz (GHz) and 42 GHz spectrum bands by the Nigerian Communications (NCC) is too high and does not take into account the realities in the country.

    They said the countries the pricing was benchmarked against were all matured telecoms markets, adding that the indexes do not speak to current market situation in the country.

    Speaking yesterday during the stakeholders consultative forum organised by the NCC on licensing of 38GHz, 42GHz and replanning of 23GHz spectrum at Lagos Sheraton Hotel and Towers, an official of Airtel, Luckky Ubani said the NCC  should take a second look at the pricing model to reflect what is happening in the country.

    But the NCC said it is not re-inventing the wheel, adding that its pricing was arrived at after evaluating what is happening in other jurisdictions.

    Its Deputy Director, Spectrum Administration Department, O. A. Yusuf said Nigeria has a huge population, stressing that the Commission is not opposed to any proposal on lowering the price for the spectrum. He said the Commission arrived at the pricing after a careful study of the pricing models in countries such as United States (U.S), United Kingdom, South Africa, Netherlands and Canada, arguing that the pricing was neither too low nor too high as it was in the medium level.

    Stakeholders agreed that written submissions be made to the NCC in four weeks time after which the proposal shall be deemed to have been approved by all.

    Speaking on the occasion, NCC CEO, Prof Umar Dambatta said the forum was organised because of the Commission’s believe that its actions must be guided by decisions that take cognisance of the inputs from the stakeholders.

  • DPR begins licensing of cooking gas retailers

    As part of measures to reduce frequent cases of cooking gas accidents, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has commenced the process of licensing cooking gas retailers.

    The move, according to the President of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers (LPGAR), Association, Mr. Michael Umudu, was also aimed at ridding the sector of quacks and unlicensed professionals.

    Umudu stated this at a safety awareness campaign organised by the Lagos chapter of LPGAR in Lagos state. He said the high rate of cooking gas accidents across the country remained a cause for concern to the association, hence, the decision of the DPR.

    He said the safety awareness campaign was put together by the association to equip its members ahead of the licensing exercise by DPR while also building members’ capacity to be in tune with latest safety trends. The awareness programme, he said, was in line with Health Safety and Environment (HSE) practice in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

    The Chairman, Lagos chapter of LPGAR, Mr. David Okenwa said the training had become imperative in view of the growing demand for cooking gas as an alternative to kerosene and firewood. Okenwa said: “Many of our members don’t know much about the safety aspect of this business. That is why we engaged a consultant who will train them on the safety aspect because there are cases of related to gas hazards in the country.

    “As an association, we have deemed it fit to bring our members to the classroom to widen the scope of their knowledge base so that they will be more careful when carrying out their duty.”  He warned that any member found wanting in any fire incident related case after the training, will be dealt with according to the rules governing the association.

    The Managing Director of Crownbondis Global Resources Nigeria, an HSE consultant, Mr. Adebiyi Adewale, said gas retailers as the last link, must be adequately equipped with the knowledge of safety handling of gas in order to reduce the cases of gas accidents.

    Safety tips given to retailers during the training included how to transfer LPG from bigger cylinders to smaller ones, proper kits to use; checking expiring date of cylinders; how to check for leakages, and the consequences of not adhering to safety standards.

  • LSWRC begins licensing of borehole drillers

    Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LSWRC) is set to commence the licensing of all borehole drillers in the state according to the guidelines for drinking water quality regulations as scheduled for the last quarter of this year.

    Its Executive Secretary, Mr. Ahmed Abdullahi, spoke during the inaugural meeting held with members of the Association of Water, Well Drilling, Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP) in his office, last week.

    According to him, there is need to have a database of all borehole drillers within the state, in order to intimate them of the content of the regulations guiding the state water sector, and also ensure that those engaging in the act of borehole drilling are professionals. While the government is ready to implement the water sector law to the letter, it would first create sufficient awareness and enlightenment for all stakeholders to understand its implementation process as ignorance of the law would not be an excuse once enforcement commences.

    He disclosed that a 100 – man team would be set up to register and conduct free water quality tests on all boreholes in the state and any information gathered from the exercise would be imputed into the Commission’s database. He also said all existing boreholes would be regularised and subjected to periodic checks to curb the occurrence of water borne diseases.

    Admonishing the association to look into the development of its members as a way of curtailing the activities of quacks within the industry, he appealed for the co-operation and vigilance of the association and its members and urged them to cooperate with the State Government by providing technical expertise to fix water related problems where they exist and make positive impact in the state.

    Abdullahi urged the Association to register as a recognised body for the development of AWDROP, stating that the people of Lagos State will benefit immensely if members operated as professionals.

    National President, AWDROP, Mr. Michael Ale, expressed satisfaction with the plans of the government in licensing all drillers, saying it is in the best interest of the drillers to operate with decorum and professionalism. He promised that the association would cooperate with the state government on the exercise.

    Water Sector Law was promulgated in 2004, to protect the long term interests of consumers with regard to the quality, price and reliability of services received from service providers whether government or private owned.

  • Licensing teachers

    Licensing teachers

    •This long-overdue policy should be expedited

    One of the major anomalies of the Nigerian education system is the profusion of unlicensed teachers working within it. An unlicensed teacher is a person working in an instructive capacity in a primary, secondary or tertiary institution, without a valid teaching licence from the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).

    There can be no doubt about the vital necessity of licensing Nigerian teachers. It enhances professionalism and helps to raise the standards of one of the most important professions. It serves as a form of quality control by ensuring that quackery is minimized. It facilitates the overall development of the education sector by explicitly promoting an adherence to the highest standards of teaching and learning.

    Licensing does not necessarily turn bad teachers into good ones, but it does offer a process through which poor teachers can improve. By contrast, not licensing teachers ensures that the education system will be full of individuals who have absolutely no right to be there.

    Nigeria is in the paradoxical situation of having very many teachers but relatively few effective ones. Teaching is the country’s pre-eminent all-comers’ profession, the last option to which desperate job-seekers resort when other employment opportunities are not available. It is thus full of poorly-motivated and apathetic personnel, whose lack of interest in teaching is reflected in the low quality of their output.

    The negative consequences for the country are obvious. In a nation where some 10.5 million children are already out of school, the excess of unlicensed teachers compounds the problem of guaranteeing educational quality.

    Unlicensed teachers are more likely to produce pupils and students who cannot meet the literacy and numeracy standards appropriate to their educational level, and who go on to perform woefully in public examinations like the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

    Teachers who are not licensed are less likely to embark on professional development programmes, since they see their stay in education as a temporary sojourn. They are not as aware of the ethics of teaching as they should be, and are consequently more prone to engage in unethical practices.

    The country’s poorly-regarded public schools ironically have a relatively high percentage of licensed teachers, but poor pay, overcrowded classes and inadequate infrastructure neutralize this advantage.

    Private schools, which are increasingly favoured by parents and guardians, often have better facilities, but the tendency to focus on profit means that many of their teaching personnel are unlicensed, even though they may have advanced degrees.

    As the government agency charged with the regulation of teaching practice in Nigeria, the TRCN has a comprehensive programme of registration and licensing teachers. It also accredits, monitors and supervises courses in teacher training institutions in the country.

    In December 2014, it introduced the teachers’ Professional Qualifying Examination Benchmarks to streamline the registration process. In addition to these roles, the council must now seek to emphasize its enforcement functions. It is empowered to compel ethical conduct among teachers and can prosecute unqualified teachers in accordance with its enabling act. Without the threat of sanctions, there will be little incentive for teachers to seek licences.

    The Federal Ministry of Education can aid this process by making the employment of licensed teachers a major criterion for the establishment of private schools. For their part, private schools must realize that the employment of unlicensed teachers is self-defeating in the long run. The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) must ensure that all its members are licensed and drop its opposition to teacher certification exercises aimed at improving teacher quality.

    Teaching is the mother of all professions. Ensuring that those who practice it are licensed in a manner similar to their counterparts in law, medicine and engineering, would restore dignity to a profession which it has lacked for a very long time.

  • Licensing seminar eye opener for Nigerian clubs – Shehu Dikko

    Licensing seminar eye opener for Nigerian clubs – Shehu Dikko

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have said the ongoing CAF club licensing seminar in Abuja would be an eye opener for Nigeria Premier league clubs.

    NFF second vice-president Shehu Dikko said this in Abuja on Thursday at the opening of a two-day CAF club licensing seminar for clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    Dikko, who is also the chairman of the League Management Company (LMC), said he was optimistic that the seminar will expose the clubs to the basic rules of the game.

    “FIFA have since 2007 introduced club licensing requirements for all clubs participating in domestic leagues and intercontinental competitions,” he said.

    “The objective is to ensure that there is a minimum benchmark that clubs need to meet for them to be able to participate in the league and  intercontinental competitions.

    “The clubs need these minimum requirements for them to be better organised, with sporting facilities, infrastructure, financing, commercial activities, the personnel and what have you.“

    According to him, once the clubs are better organised and better managed, it means the players will be better paid.

    Twenty Nigeria Premier league clubs are attending  the seminar, which is jointly organised by CAF and NFF.