| Used computer: Fear
of ban grips dealers
By BISI OLALEYE
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
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•Computer
Village
Photo: Sun News Publishing
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Just as the Federal Government is taking steps to ban importation
of used computers, popularly referred to as Tokunbo in the
country, some dealers, are taking steps to ensure that the
ban does not affect them negatively.
Daily Sun investigations revealed that some of the dealers,
who have goods or container loads of second hand computers
at the various ports in the country are making desperate efforts
to get them out before the ban.
According to an IT observer, Demola Oyinlola, many dealers
are trying to clear their goods as fast as possible.
“Do you think it is going to be possible, considering
the fact that many people cannot afford to get a new PC or
Laptop.
Government should consider her citizen before finalizing the
ban. It is just like when two elephants fight, the grass suffers.
“Nigeria is just developing. We have not reached there
and I want to believe that it is the handiwork of some local
PC manufacturers, who are canvassing the ban. They know that
it is only through this means that their product can jump-start
or yield profit as against their media hype.”
He added that if only the government would try to censor some
of the goods, rather than place a total ban on them, then
it would be easier for many Nigerians to become computer literate
as we are in the computer age.
However, Ndubuisi Okoh, an IT stakeholder, said that the ban
would go a long way to sanitize the influx of junks into the
country.
“Many banks are now giving out these things (computers/laptops)
on soft loan. You don’t have to buy second-hand again,
you find out that after using it for a month, it develops
faults. And, you have no choice than to repair it, so why
not buy a new one? When you critically look at it, it is even
much more cheaper than buying a second hand one.
“Sometimes, many of us do not want a change. Until we
change our attitude in this country, things would not start
working for us. Why should Nigeria be a dumping ground for
junks and second hand things? It is now so bad that people
would not mind buying used pants. Our orientation has just
got to change. It is only when this happens that we can talk
about the future of ICT in the country.”
A dealer, who pleaded anonymity, told Daily Sun that it was
a tall order for the government because most people in government
are importers too.
“It is all about talking. Is the ban achievable? Can
an undergraduate afford a new PC? You talk of soft loan from
banks. Fine. How many of them are willing to give loan to
students? Please, forget media hype, we are in the industry
and we know what it is. The most important thing is that we
are not going to be caught napping,” he said.
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