The Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB), Prof. Mohammed Abubakar, has disclosed that the sum of Thirty-Five Billion Naira is needed to provide two Megabits per second of internet connectivity for various government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Nigeria for effective service delivery.
Professor Abubakar said that “To provide connectivity services at a minimum broadband speed of 2Mbps to all MDAs nationwide as mandated, funding in excess of 35 Billion Naira will be required, while more than 200 Billion Naira will be required for broadband connectivity at National Broadband Plan (NBP) recommended speed.“
Speaking on some of challenges faced by the Agency, he expressed displeasure at the level of bureaucracy experienced by the Galaxy Backbone Limited in carrying out its mandate.
He, however, appealed to the National Assembly to make laws to enable the Agency compete with other businesses that provide same services with them, noting that the Agency is strategizing toward making Nigeria an enabler of digital inclusion for Africa.
According to him, “Despite the state of art infrastructure, Galaxy is finding it increasingly difficult to compete with private sector companies because of bureaucracy that is peculiar to public sector institutions.
“Despite 40% increase in Annual Service Contract, the provision fails to match steep rise in demand for Galaxy’s services. Additional increase will be required to keep up with MDA’s demands and needs”
The Managing Director also solicited legislative support to increase the viability of the Agency:
“We need support from the National Assembly for an act to define and affirm GBB Corporate structure and orientation in its relationship with FGN and MDAs.
“Galaxy should be relieved of all encumbrances of Government bureaucracy, such that it will operate solely within the Companies and Alliance Matters Act framework.”
Abubakar also called for the promotion of proper understanding among all relevant stakeholders to continue to support the contractual nature of GBB operations and services to Government:
“This entails that Service Provisioning and National Infrastructure maintenance relationship of GBB with Government should continue to be contractual in funding, implementation and operations”
“…Galaxy will not be able to fund operations of the infrastructure from its “Service Wide Vote” and Internally generated revenue.”
In a joint statement by the co-chairmen of the joint Committee, Senator Yakubu Useni and Honourable Abubakar Lado, after the facility tour of the National Shared Services Centre of the GBB, pledged to support the Agency:
“In our role as Legislators, we renew our commitment in ensuring that GBB gets all the support it needs to complete this project, which will help in deepening the broadband penetration in our nation and improve the internet experience in and around cities in the country.”
On the issue of funding, the National Assembly urged the Federal Government to increase the funding of Galaxy Backbone to enable it operate at par with its private sector counterparts and secure the digital future of the nation.
“We believe once the financial and policy support is given GBB, not just public sector organization will become more effective and efficient, but Small and Medium size business can take advantage of this infrastructure, which is also meant for them as Nigerians, so that they can grow their businesses and ultimately improve the standard of living of the entire nation.”
According to the Committee “What we have seen today has corrected a lot of the misconceptions we initially had about the operations of Galaxy Backbone.
“With the revelations coming out of this oversight exercise, we all need to play our part, as a matter of urgency, in ensuring that Galaxy Backbone is supported financially in making this dream a reality.
“On our part as the National Assembly, we will ensure that we engage members of the Federal Executive Council and the agencies in charge in making this happen.
“Creating a digital nation is paramount for the economic and social future of our nation and we believe Galaxy Backbone will play a fundamental role in making sure this happens.
“So in supporting that Galaxy Backbone is better funded, we will also make sure that funds approved are put into proper use for the benefit of the entire nation”.
