The Nigerian government has announced the award of an N28 billion research and development satellite internet broadband project over a 15-year period. Manji Yarling, Acting Head of Media and Publicity, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday after the FEC approved the deal.
The project will also help Nigeria fight insecurity. The ICRC stated that the project is owned by the National Space Research and Development Agency, an agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation that is overseen by the ICRC. They went on to say that it would create over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs, generate over N28 billion over the 15-year concession period, aid in the fight against insecurity, as well as mitigate the effects of climate change, aid in disaster relief, and improve healthcare services.
“It will also help in the transfer of technology to Nigerians in the field of communication equipment design and manufacturing,” he added.
The project’s Full Business Case Compliance Certificate was presented to Dr. Adeleke Mamora, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, by ICRC Director-General Michael Ohiani.
Ohiani stated that the proposed concession will be carried out under the Design, Finance, Build, Operate, and Transfer (DFBOT) PPP model, with Messrs Gilat-Eleo Consortium as the preferred bidder.
According to Ohiani at the FBC presentation, the project will not only ensure internet penetration in rural areas, but it will also generate revenue, improve fixed-broadband penetration, and support the government’s fight against insecurity.
“In terms of broadband, we anticipate 10,000 direct and indirect jobs over the course of the concession’s 15-year term.” “The project will also generate N28 billion in revenue for the country,” he added.
He also stated that the concession aims to deploy over 7,000 Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) across Nigeria over the next two years.
