The Federal Government through the National Population Commission (NPC) has signed an important agreement with Nigeria’s integrated technology brand, Zinox, to supply technological components and other accessories for the 2023 national census project, further justifying the commitment of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to the local. content promotion.
The contract, valued at over N85 billion, was awarded to Zinox after ratification by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
In a statement, yesterday, from Zinox, the company, which has started supplying the first batch of about 100,000 units of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) needed for the national enumeration, emerged as the preferred technical partner for the exercise after. scaling the bid process is strict involving other local and international competitors.
It is noted that Zinox is rated as an indigenous technology powerhouse with global connections that continues to enjoy the trust of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and other technology heavyweights worldwide.
This, it was learnt, got approval from the Federal Government for the project. Also credited is Zinox which helped with the country’s voter registration exercise in 2006 and 2010 when a large foreign technology company contracted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to deliver as scheduled.
Zinox used the Z-Pad smart device to lay the foundations of Nigeria’s digital democracy that INEC is building on today. The smooth execution of over $200 million INEC contracts in 2010 added a boost to Zinox’s profile as a strong indigenous company with capacity and competence.
The Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, said that the company has built a system of integrity and a record of excellence, both in Nigeria and internationally. Furthermore, Ekeh noted that until there is reliable data census figures, the country cannot plan well.
Also, the Managing Director, Zinox Technologies, Mrs. Kelechi Okonta, said: “It is a privilege for the Federal Government to consider us among many other companies in the world. They know that we have the capacity. We use all our resources to ensure that we succeed.
The 2023 census, scheduled between March and April, will be the fifth one conducted by the Nigerian government since independence in 1960 and will come 17 years since the last edition held in 2006 under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The Chairman of the NPC, Alhaji Nasir Isa Kwarra, noted that the 2023 census will mark a new dawn in the home and human head count in Nigeria as there will be counting or undercounting, adding that the tool, when deployed with forms, maps and other digital additions, will ensure if the enumerator cannot exceed the area assigned to them. In addition, he praised Zinox for the dedication, commitment and great capacity shown when starting the contract.
He noted that the software (Application) that will be used to activate and activate the PDA is developed locally, thus complying with the Executive Order of President Muhammadu Buhari on local content, as well as the regulations of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) ) in procurement of PDA devices.
The Chairman of the NPC said: “With all the improvements that the National Population Commission has provided to these tools, for example, Mobile Device Management, we can monitor the enumerators in the field and ensure that the data provided by Nigerians is secured and well managed. privacy.
“The geospatial resources obtained by the NPC will be distributed in the device. This will ensure that all Nigerians are accounted for where and where they live. We will also be able to collect statistics on the types of houses and their characteristics for better physical and social planning by the government for the nation.
”The homeless will be counted, tied to their usual place of residence, referenced by geo-coordinates; Special Population: nomads, migrants, people in transit, etc., will be counted with geo-references where they are found at the time of the Census. Everyone will be counted because all Nigerians are counted.