Chevron boosts local content in ICT, opts for Zinox Technologies

• Firm to supply 65,000 tablet PCs, others

At a time most companies, especially the multinationals are fanatically stuck with foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for the supplies of their digital equipment, Chevron Nigeria has approached Zinox Technologies, an indigenous firm, for its major supplies.

The supplies will involve the implementation of a massive roll-out of thousands of high-end personal computers (PCs), desktop units, monitors and other accessories with which Chevron Nigeria planned to equip its offices and other establishments in the country.

The implication of this is that the Federal Government’s plea for the patronage of ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ products, might gradually be gaining grounds in the country and as such, there will be reduction in capital flights in the ICT sector.

Chevron is the third-largest oil producer and one of the biggest investors in Nigeria, where it operates under a joint-venture arrangement with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for the onshore and offshore assets in the Niger Delta region.

Checks showed that Zinox has already commenced the delivery and installation of the first units of the orders – a development confirmed by a senior management staff of Chevron Nigeria, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

“Certainly, we are doing business with local Nigerian companies such as Zinox Technologies, among others. We have ordered thousands of high-end servers and laptops from Zinox. We encourage other Nigerian entrepreneurs and companies to take this as a sign of confidence. A lot of multinationals are ready to patronise made-in-Nigeria products, provided they meet international standards,” he stated.

The Head of Corporate Communications at Zinox, Gideon Ayogu, confirmed this development. He disclosed that the firm has received orders for the deployment of over 65,000 tablet PCs, among other devices.

“Yes, we have commenced the delivery and deployment of the Chevron orders through one of our partners. Apart from the major infrastructural change and the roll-out of high-end computers, servers and other accessories to Chevron Nigeria, who remain one of our most regular customers, we have also enjoyed consistent patronage from other multinationals such as Total and Shell as well as a few government agencies and parastatals,” he stated.

He, however, lamented the difficulty with obtaining foreign exchange (forex), which has delayed the delivery of some of the orders.