By Emma Okonji
Ericsson and Galaxy Backbone, the Government ICT shared services provider in Nigeria, has announced a partnership to design and deploy Information and Communications Technology (ICT) based solutions and services supporting the delivery of efficient public services in the country.
The partnership is in keeping with the Nigerian Government’s commitment to leverage ICT for job creation, improved security, economic diversification and social inclusion. It also supports the Minister of Communication’s vision to deploy e-Government as a tool to improve governance and efficiency in the delivery of quality public services.
Nigeria, no doubt, is making definite strides towards deploying e-Government solutions to enhance public sector delivery, through the partnership, where Ericsson is expected to work closely with Galaxy Backbone, the government and private agencies to drive the roadmap and implement solutions for industry transformation.
The Chief Executive Officer, Galaxy Backbone, Yusuf Kazaure, said: “The transformative role of ICT for improved delivery of public services has become quite significant and in Nigeria Galaxy is at the forefront in terms of the provision of the infrastructure and services that empower MDAs to achieve their mandates through better service delivery to the citizens they serve.”
Under the terms of the partnership, spanning three years, Ericsson will serve as advisor, systems integrator and implementation partner for ICT based solutions and services covering the transport, utility and safety and security sectors.
Ericsson will also manage all deployed solutions and services while building capacity within Galaxy Backbone and partner public parastatals ensuring that all deployments are eventually handed over to the government along with selected private sector players.
Head of Ericsson Nigeria, Johan Jemdahl, said: “A recent report by Ericsson and the Earth Institute at Columbia University on the impact of ICT on sustainable development, calls on governments to harness technology, investment and new types of partnerships to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This partnership with Galaxy Backbone touches upon all of these criteria and places Nigeria on a clear path towards meeting the needs of a growing economy using ICT.”
He added that the partnership would also support Ericsson’s vision of building a networked society in Nigeria and that the company is excited to be partnering Galaxy Backbone on the project.
Upon the completion of scoping the required solutions, all involved parties will jointly agree on the investment business models that best suit what is required to most efficiently roll out this new vision.
