Galaxy to cover federal ministries with fiber optic

Galaxy Backbone Plc, a public limited-liability company mandated to harmonize the Nigerian government's ICT infrastructure, has said that it will soon connect about 23 federal ministries in Abuja with fiber-optic cable.

Galaxy Managing Director Gerald Ilukwe disclosed this information in an interview with IDG News Service at the two-day Public Sector ICT Infrastructure forum in Abuja.

The ministries to be connected consist of about 20 governmental departments and three presidential departments, namely the Federal Capital Territory, National Planning Commission and National Sports Commission. Galaxy will build the fiber optic as a ring around the ministries for easy deployment, Ilukwe explained.

While all ministries will have fiber-optic coverage, Ilukwe stressed that backup will be provided through wireless and Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT).

Although Ilukwe did not disclose financial specifics, he said the project will cost tens of millions of dollars.

In the meantime, Galaxy has commenced the implementation of the National Information, Communication and Education Programme with some pilot sites across the country. The project, Ilukwe explained, is an ICT policy intervention by the federal government targeted at the realization of its e-governance and Millennium Development Goals objectives. He added that the project is designed to deploy 5,000 VSAT nodes throughout the country to connect federal government ministries, departments and agencies; the 36 state capitals; and 774 local government areas.