Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, has said that the Federal Government would continuously support the privatisation and commercialisation of critical sectors of the nation’s economy.
The minister stated this during the presentation of ‘Full Business Case(FBC)’ certificates for Public-Private-Partnership in Abuja on Monday.
According to him, government will continue to support critical sectors with great financial burden in order to bolster the socio-economic growth and development of the nation.
Mamora said that two projects to be concessioned were Planetarium and Broadband facilities with specialised theatre.
He said that both projects already had representations where the solar system galaxy and the universe can be projected.
The minister said, ”with satellite, intelligence information could be gathered on tackling some of the problems retarding the growth and progress of the country.”
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr Henry Ikoh, said the Federal Government was resolute in commercialising innovations.
Earlier, Dr Halilu Shaba, the Director-General, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA),said that Planetarium and Museum building were inaugurated in April 2018.
Shaba stated that its sole objective was educational, with the provision of entertainment services to Nigeria about space science and technology.
He said that it also aimed at generating revenue for Nigeria.
The DG said after the projects become operational, they would contribute significantly to space knowledge and astronomy.
The Director-General, Infrastructure, Concession Regulatory Commission, (ICRC), Dr Joe Ohiani said that the two projects would create about 10,000 direct and indirect jobs.
He added that they would also enhance tourism, boost capacity and create great innovations in the country.
Ohiani said that the broadband project would generate about N28 billion and the planetarium/museum project would equally create N20 billion.
He said that both projects would also attract foreign investors to the country.
