By Princess-Ekwi Ajide, Abuja
In a bid to boost socio- economic, growth and development of the country, the Federal Government says it will continue to support the Privatization and commercialization of all critical sectors that may pose huge financial burden to it.
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Adeleke Mamora, stated this at the official presentation of the Full Business Case (FBC) certificates for the Public Private Partnership (PPP) of two projects-Planetarium and Broadband facility in his office, in Abuja.
The Minister, noted that the to be concessioned projects are specialized theatre in which representations of the solar system galaxy and universe can be projected, saying that with satellite, intelligent information can be gathered for tackling some problems militating against the growth and progress of the nation.
The Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh, had earlier in his speech, said that Federal Government will not relent in Commercialization of Innovation, and promised that the ministry will run with the programme and ensure the needful is done.
In his speech, the Director General, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Halilu Shaba, said that the Planetarium and Museum building commissioned in April 2018 with the major aim of generating revenue for the country and providing education and entertainment services to Nigerians especially about space science and technology had been left unutilized owing to lack of funding to enhance it.
According to the Director General, the projects when operational will contribute significantly to the knowledge of those who shall visit the planetarium and museum on space and astronomy.
For the Director General, Infrastructure, Concession Regulatory Commission, ICRC, Dr. Joe Ohiani, the two projects will create about 10,000 direct and indirect jobs, enhance tourism, boost capacity and create great innovation in the country.
He said that the two projects will attract foreign investors to the country with the broadband project generating about 28 billion Naira, and the planetarium/museum project will generate 20 billion naira.
