According to Vanguard, the Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd (NIGCOMSAT Ltd) has commenced its VSAT installation project to provide satellite coverage for 579 Local Government Areas in Nigeria. This initiative utilises the Ku-band network asset of NigComSat-1R to support the Federal Government’s endeavour to cover all 774 Local Government Areas nationwide. In addition, phase one of the project has been initiated and is set to encompass 40 local government area council offices across eight states in Nigeria, including Borno, Cross River, Imo, Kogi, Kwara, Ogun, Sokoto, and Zamfara states.
According to NIGCOMSAT’s Managing Director, Mrs Nkechi Jane Egerton-Idehen, NIGCOMSAT’s Managing Director, Mrs. Nkechi Jane Egerton-Idehen, affirmed that the portable inverter system with solar panels will guarantee uninterrupted power supply through green energy solutions. The installation team were mobilised and dispatched, marking the initiation of project implementation on March 5, 2024, in Kabba-Bunu of Kogi state.
Furthermore, Mrs Egerton-Idehen stated that Kogi state, the first state to benefit from the project covering five local government areas of the state, aligns with the ministry’s strategic blueprint and is a significant step in achieving President Bola Ahmed Tinibu’s mandate to deliver efficient public service to Nigerians at the local government level. The Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT further mentioned that, apart from the initial allocation of five local government areas to Kogi state, the Honorable Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has generously included an additional five local government areas. This raises the total number from 40 to 45, expanding the coverage of phase one of the project nationwide.
The first five local government areas to cover are Bassa, Kabba/Bunu, Lokoja, Okene, and Okehi, while the additional five local governments approved by the Minister are Adavi, Ajaokuta, Kogi, Mopamuro, and Dekina.
Recently, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Bosun Tijani, has unveiled Project 774 Local Government Connectivity. This project aims to foster inclusive development and improve access to digital public infrastructure in government offices across Nigeria, including the most remote areas. In addition, the project, which will leverage the existing infrastructure of the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat) and Galaxy Backbone, will provide connectivity to all 774 LG Secretariats across Nigeria.
Source: https://africanews.space/nigcomsat-kickstarts-phase-one-of-the-774-lg-internet-connectivity-project-with-579-local-government-areas-in-nigeria/
