Governments can save more revenue
By Bakare Muritala
The Gambia

Information technology experts meeting at a recently concluded one day forum in the Gambia have told the Gambia government and other African governments that they could save more revenue and facilitate development efforts if they explore the opportunities provided by the Free and Open Source Software, FOSS. The forum which was organised by the Information Technology Association of the Gambia (ITAG), discussed the theme : How countries such as China, India, Senegal and Ghana are harnessing the power of free and Open Source technology to accelerate development. How it can make positive impact in the Gambian context.
The professionals argued that there are lots of opportunities provided by the use of Foss as it is cheaper, free and flexible touse and above all, can accelerate development efforts. ‘Third world countries are rapidly exploring the opportunities provided by modern, cheaper and flexible technologies to accelerate the potentials of information communication and technology as it relates to development. Countries like China, Brazil, India etc are exploring the opportunities provided by the Free and Open Source to improve their economy,’ said Papa Njie, ITAG president and CEO, Unique Solutions, The Gambia.
Mr Njie said many governments in Africa spend lots buying expensive information technology equipments but do not know they can save money by using the Foss. “Apart from being cheap and flexible, governments can save a lots by buying the Foss technology and the money saved could be diverted to the education, health, and Agriculture sectors for the benefit of the economy,” said the Unique Solutions CEO.
Mr Njie further stated that such technology can help facilitate and settle trade transaction, population growth and other economic issues as seen in China and other developing countries. He pointed out that his association, ITAG is doing all its best to ensure the integration of ICT in the economic activities and especially in the school curriculum. While he commended the Gambia government for its ICT efforts, he emphasised the need for an ICT policies to enable more opportunities come by.
In his presentation of FOSS Abdulraham Touray, ITAG vice president and CEO Pristine Consulting, said Foss can rapidly and quickly help develop IT infrastructure and the economy, maintain sovereignty and security. He also maintained that Gambia and other African countries need to see to what extent other countries have gone with the Free and Open Source Software. Even though Touray said that piracy, procurement process, ignorance etc are challenges for its use, “Foss can help develop local IT software and services and its infrastructure,” he said. He also maintained that the introduction of legislation and policies will facilitate its effective use which will stimulate local software industries and create local employment.
Cherno Jallow, the CEO of the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that governments are yet to be aware of many opportunities that could be accrued from the use of modern cheaper, flexible and modern IT softwares and applications. He said Malaysia has explored and still exploring the advantages of cheaper and modern ICT measures to help its economy grow, adding that there is an urgent need for ITAG to make the government understand in simplest term, what could be saved and gained from using the software like the FOSS.
The Proprietor of Netpage Solutions, Simon Abraham said it is important to create awareness on the importance of ICT. “We also have to let people understand what IT is all about. How IT can make sense to the ordinary man,” he said.
 

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