Registration
By Tolu Aiyegbusi
Abuja, June 24, 2024 (NAN) The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) has urged companies that operate on foreign technologies to submit their technology transfer agreements to NOTAP for proper evaluation and registration.
Its Director-General, Dr Obiageli Amadiobi, gave the advice on Monday at a news conference in Abuja.
Amadiobi said companies that failed to submit their agreements to NOTAP for proper evaluation and registration would face stiff penalties and prosecution.
“Available records show that a greater percentage of companies in Nigeria operate on imported technologies which run into millions of dollars without NOTAP registration necessitated by Law, thereby shortchanging the Nigerian economy.
“By law, it is mandatory that NOTAP should be involved during the technology negotiation stage to ensure that the Nigerian entrepreneur acquires appropriate technology in best contractual terms,’’ she said.
The D-G expressed NOTAP’s commitment in synergising with companies that strictly comply with its rules, adding that there would be stiff punishment for erring ones.
She stated that NOTAP was established to regulate the inflow of foreign technology through the registration of technology transfer agreements to promote the development of locally motivated technologies.
According to her, NOTAP is working assiduously to ensure that Nigerian companies are offered the best contractual terms in acquisition of foreign technologies,
“This act is shortchanging the system because they have lumped up software and hardware together, thereby not giving room for proper evaluation and registration.
“Some companies are hiding under non-registration of hardware to avert registration of their agreements,’’ director-general said.
According to her, this will enable rendition of services commensurate with the money expensed on it.
“In line with the renewed hope mantra of the present administration, no company is allowed to continue to avoid registration of technology transfer agreements with NOTAP.
“Some operators lump acquisition of foreign hardware with the software with the claim that the technology cannot be registered since it is hardware.’’
She emphasised that such companies were doing great disservice to the nation and should henceforth desist from such practices. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
TOLU/ADA
Edited by Deji Abdulwahab
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