NASS Calls for Increased Funding for Galaxy Backbone

…Says GBB will play a fundamental role in creating a digital nation

The Joint National Assembly Committee on ICT and Cybercrime has called on the Federal Government to increase the funding of Galaxy Backbone Ltd so that Government institutions can operate at par with its private sector counterpart and ensure that the digital future of the Nation can be secured.

This was the decision of the Committee after the facility tour of the National Shared Services Centre as part of its oversight activities in MDAs for good governance, accountability and transparency and in line with one of the major commitments of the National Assembly for 2021 aimed at ensuring that the legislative arm of the Government promotes and supports the digital transformation journey of Nigeria.

In his opening remark, the Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone Limited, Prof M. B Abubakar narrated the historical background of Galaxy Backbone and some of the major challenges facing the company which include inadequate funding, bureaucracy, internal internet security among other.

Professor Abubakar says a total of thirty-five billion naira is needed to provide internet connectivity services at a minimum broadband speed of two megabits per second to all Ministries Departments and Agencies(MDAs) in Nigeria.

He explained 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.”

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 the Annual Service Contract, the provision fails to match the steep rise in demand for Galaxy’s services, the additional increase will be required to keep up with MDAs’ demands and needs.”

Reacting to this, the Committee Chairman, Senator Yakubu Oseni in his presentation said that Nigeria still lags behind in digital sophistication, digital security and knowhow which are critical to the development agenda.

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As the agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria responsible for internet service provision and protection for MDAs, Galaxy Backbone has before it, the big task of ensuring that Nigeria is up to date with the rest of the world in the cyber technology domain, Senator Yakubu Oseni said.

The committee reiterated that the remaining floors of the Datacenter be completed and equipped; Data Centre shaver to be build in the six geopolitical zones of the Nation; More tech and operations professionals need to come on board to manage the operations; more metro and intercity Fibre operations have to be rolled out to improve internet and digital experience; more Federal and State Ministries, Departments and Agencies have to get on the Galaxy Backbone network to improve their services to the nation and research, development and innovation have to be deepened to ensure that the digital evolution journey is consistently met with the changes going on globally and locally.

The Committee commended the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami for his passionate and consistent in leading the Digital transformation vision of the Ministry and also applaud the Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone Limited for his creative administrative prowess and commitment and bringing great minds and team together to ensure Galaxy Backbone Ltd continues to deliver on its mandate and puts in the hand work to ensure that quality of service is improved across board