The Federal Government through public private partnership is to commence the operation of a Broadband Internet Service, a Museum and Planetarium Centre that will generate billions of revenue for the country.
At the presentation of the two projects business case compliance certificate to the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Adeleke Mamora in Abuja, the Director General, National Space Research and Development Agency Dr Halilu Shaba said the projects would enhance the capacity of staff and create jobs for Nigerians.
Dr Halilu explained that the Broadband internet service when completed would increase the fixed broadband penetration for Nigerians that is presently less than 10% with a reduced cost.
The NASRDA Boss further explained that the project is capable of contributing to Nigeria’s aspiration of providing up to ninety percent of Nigerians with fast, affordable, reliable and high- speed fixed broadband internet at a price not more than three hundred and ninety naira per one gigabyte of data by the year 2025 as captured in the National Broadband Plan 2020-2025 for the planning and execution of projects, promotion of Nigerian content in contracts, science, engineering and technology.
Speaking on the Museum and Planetarium, the Director General said the Centre which was commissioned in 2018 to provide educational and entertainment services to Nigerians about space science, technology and innovation, had not been able to fulfil its mandate due to inadequate budgetary allocation.
Dr Shaba however in this regard noted that the Space Agency got proposal from Messrs, Atlantic Factorial Nigeria limited to upgrade, Equip, operate and market the facilities having the concession period of 16 years.
In his remarks, the Minister of state, ministry of science, technology and innovation Chief Henry Ikechukwu expressed the support of government to ensure the partnership see the light of day.
Receiving the Business case compliance certificate, the Minister of Science and Technology Dr Adeleke Mamora commended the Space Agency for the innovation noting that projects were critical to the development of the country.
Dr Mamora who stressed that government alone cannot take the responsibility of national development hence the need for the Public Private Partnership, insisted that technology must be channelled towards solving the numerous challenges like security and unemployment in the country adding that the Space Agency has taken the right path to development.
The projects according to him is at no cost to the Federal government and will be managed by Messrs, Milly Way Nigeria limited with share holding of seventy to thirty percent in the first Ten years and sixty to forty percent in the last five years of the concession period for private proponent and the federal government.
The two projects would be presented to the Federal executive Council for approval through the minister after which the concession agreement would be cleared by the Attorney General of the Federal for commencement.
JOY OPALUWA,
Media and Corporate Communications
