By Innocent Odoh The on-going National Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Infrastructural project, has received a boost following the decision by the FCT Administration to partner with Galaxy Backbone, facilitators of the scheme.
A statement issued on Sunday by the Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary of the FCT Ministry, Muhammadu Hazat Sule noted that the Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello gave this assurance, while receiving the Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone, Engineer Yusuf Kazaure, who paid him a working visit in his office in Abuja.
The Project is aimed at linking all Federal Government Ministries, Agencies and Parastatals on ICT network, thereby providing a formidable platform for e-government.
The Minister reiterated that the collaboration is necessary, particularly on the right of way on the routes to make the project realizable by connecting these Federal Government MDAs as envisioned, the statement said.
According to him, “we would strengthen the partnership with your organization, because it’s all part of a national network that is going to be of immense benefit to all”.
Bello who described the FCT as one of the important beneficiaries of the project said, the Territory already has infrastructure on ground for some of the components like telecommunication ducts; adding that all Ministries, Agencies and Departments across board will be linked to enhance the smooth running of government.
His words: “Taking into account that in the FCT, you don’t probably need to break a lot of ground and do a lot of physical activity because the infrastructure for duct is already there, we will partner with your team to make sure that it is deployed properly.”
Bello remarked that adequate maintenance and security would also be provided for the entire duct system to ensure that unscrupulous elements do not unduly tamper them with.
He observed that due to the number of organizations both public and private that are involved in the system, adding that there is also the need for each organization to be properly indexed, identified and coded, so that they are protected and easily sorted in the event that there is need for maintenance.
While appealing to Galaxy Backbone to ensure that the FCTA is allocated enough data for its activities, the Minister said, the company should find time to look at their systems and really agree on enhancing what is available, based on the existing infrastructure before the national one is deployed.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone, Engineer Yusuf Kazaure said, the project is targeted at ensuring transparency, better collaboration and cost effectiveness of running government.
The scheme is also meant to create a platform that is suitable for e-government, he added.
“We have a robust relationship with the FCT Administration; we provide significant amount of service to different departments and offices.
However, we seek the opportunity to strengthen the partnership further to ensure that the gains we have made are not eroded based on issues we may not be aware of. So we seek this opportunity to collect positive feedback to enable us enhance the quality of our service,” he added.
