Galaxy Backbone, a leading ICT
infrastructure and services provider and NIGCOMSAT, a Communications
Satellite Operator company have signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) designed to improve efficiency, reduce cost and avoid duplication
in the provision of connectivity services to government ministries,
departments and agencies (MDAs).
At the signing ceremony, which was
recently concluded in Abuja, the CEOs of both agencies, Yusuf Kazaure
and Abimbola Alale, stated that the partnership was in keeping with
government’s commitment to leverage ICT for job creation, improved
security and economic diversification.
Kazaure, added that the synergy will accelerate social inclusion as well as supports the National e-Government master plan as a tool to improve governance and efficiency in the delivery of quality public services.
The MD of Galaxy Backbone said: “With
the increasing impact of disruptive technologies, the provision of
modern, efficient and adequate ICT infrastructure, facilities and
services to public institutions in the country will accelerate the
Ministry of Communications’ pole vaulting strategy of turning Nigeria
into a 21st century economy and society.
“The transformative role of ICT for
improved delivery of public services provides the basis for the
continuing investments in infrastructural assets that Galaxy has been
making over the years in order to empower MDAs towards meeting their
mandates and making life easier for the citizens whom they serve.”
Under the terms of the partnership,
Galaxy will be responsible for all terrestrial and last mile
connectivity services to the MDAs, while still responsible for its hub
operations, Galaxy will also purchase all its required satellite space
segment bandwidth from NigComSat on agreed payment terms.
In her remark, the MD/CEO NIGCOMSAT,
Abimbola Alale, said that the company will provide excellent and secure
connectivity solutions to all its customers while conserving capital
flight and improve local content development in the ICT sector in the
country.
NIGCOMSAT, according to her, is a
leading communications solution provider in Africa, through its
satellite NigComSat-1R which provides a regional beam over Africa
Continent with strong footprints across West, Central and Southern
Africa.
The MOU, which spans five years in the
first instance, is a cost cutting tool for government and an example of
collaboration between agencies to create value, localisation and
optimisation of resources, amongst other benefits.
BY Dele Ogbodo in Abuja/ Thisdaylive
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