TheCable

The federal government says it will soon concession two projects of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).

The projects are the broadband project and the planetarium and museum building.

Joe Ohiani, director-general, Infrastructure, Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), disclosed this on Monday during the presentation of the full business case (FBC) certificates for the public-private-partnership in Abuja.

Ohiani said the two projects would create about 10,000 direct and indirect jobs.

He also said they would enhance tourism, boost capacity and also create great innovations in the country.

According to him, the broadband project would generate about N28 billion and the planetarium and museum project would equally create N20 billion.

Ohiani added that both projects would also attract foreign investors to the country.

On his part, Olorunnimbe Mamora, minister of science, technology and innovation, said the federal government would continue to support the privatisation and commercialisation of important sectors of the country’s economy.

“The government will continue to support critical sectors with great financial burden in order to bolster the socio-economic growth and development of the nation,” he said.

Mamora also said both projects already had representations where the solar system galaxy and the universe can be projected.

“With satellite, intelligence information could be gathered on tackling some of the problems retarding the growth and progress of the country,” he added.

Also speaking, Henry Ikoh, the minister of state for science, technology and innovation, said the federal government was resolute in commercialising innovations.

Halilu Shaba, director-general, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), said the planetarium and museum building was inaugurated in April 2018.

Shaba added that the projects are aimed at educating as well as providing entertainment services to Nigeria about space science and technology.