On Friday May 24th, 2019 The E-government master plan initially approved by the previous Federal Executive Council, was launched and published for the consumption of the entire nation. The official launch was carried out by the Secretary to the government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, the Head of Service, with the former Minister of Communications, Barr. Adebayo Shittu, Permanent Secretaries of several Ministries as well as the Heads and representatives of various Ministries, Departments and Agencies in attendance.
The launch of the E-government master plan remains one of the greatest achievements of the President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) led government. Following, the launch, government will begin the full implementation of the E-government master plan, which is meant to set Nigeria apart in the league of nations effectively delivering government services using digital technologies and Infrastructure, in earnest.
According to the Director E-government within the Ministry of Communications, Mr. Tope Fashedemi, ‘Galaxy Backbone provides the Infrastructure that will enable the full implementation of the e-government master plan’.
Galaxy Backbone (GBB) is the digital infrastructure and shared services provider to government and all its agencies. GBB is saddled with the responsibility to provide the technology platform through which the e-government master plan will be implemented for the nation. The Managing Director/CEO, Mr, Yusuf Kazaure explains further that ‘The e-government master plan heralds the platform that will help ministries and agencies perform better and become more effective in providing services to other government institutions, businesses and the citizenry in a fast, reliable and efficient manner. This will achieved through a shared platform’.
The goal of the e-government plan is to provide a transparent, competent, service oriented digital base, and an information sharing hub. The vision of the plan is to achieve a means to access government services online with ease and that’s where Galaxy Backbone plays a huge role in actualizing this. Mr. Kazaure has assured all that Galaxy Backbone will perform its responsibilities to ensure the full implementation of the plan.
In emphasizing GBB’s role in implementing the E-government master plan, Mr. Frank Ugbodaga, Group Head Customer Operations and Services explained that government has invested in A state of the art Infrastructure, which includes a world class Tier III Integrated National Datacentre to ensure that the full weight of this plan is actualized. According to Mr. Ugbodaga, “Galaxy Backbone has an active state of the art Tier III Datacentre with the latest infrastructure, computers, storage and the largest dedicated tech structure and network suitable for public and private consumption in Nigeria”.
In ensuring that the E-government master plan is fully functional across the country and that the entire nation is fully digitized for effective interactions between government agencies across the country, between government and citizen and between government and businesses, Galaxy Backbone has invested in laying fibre optics infrastructure across the country. Mr Ugbodaga further stressed this National Information, Communications & Technology Infrastructure Backbone project meant for the benefit of the entire nation. “We have succeeded in installing fibre cables in 13 states of the federation under the first phase of this project. The second phase which has commenced, will see Galaxy Backbone cover virtually all states within the country interlinking government MDAs with a dedicated network. This vast network is open to be leased for both public and private sector companies”.
Galaxy Backbone (GBB) is poised to create a digital nation and this e-government master plan is an integral part of ensuring that this is achieved for the entire country. The organisation is looking to collaborate with ICT companies across the country to leverage on the huge infractructure it has. In addition to the Tier III Datacentre located in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Galaxy Backbone also has the only in country Disaster Recovery Centre located in Enugu.