Galaxy Backbone deploys Telepresence Facilities at 123 locations across Nigeria.

At this critical stage of efforts to limit the spread of the COVID -19 in the country, the Federal Government is applying measures to safeguard its personnel, by using Telepresence facilities deployed by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (FMoCDE), through the Galaxy Backbone (GBB) Limited, a parastatal under the ministry.

The Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital EconomyDr Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) FNCS, FBCS, FIIM had earlier directed GBB to utilize its highly secure Government-wide Telepresence and Collaboration facilities,to ensure government functions continue while maintaining social distancing. They have complied by positioning their Telepresence and Collaboration facilities to ensure productivity, enhance security and reduce the cost of communication during this period.

Video conferencing terminals have been installed at over 120 Federal Government institutions, including the offices of:

i.             The Vice President;

ii.            26 Honourable Ministers

iii.          17 Ministers of State;

iv.          Chief of Staff to the President;

v.           Secretary to the Government of the Federation;

vi.          Head of Civil Service of the Federation;

vii.         37 Federal Permanent Secretaries;

viii.       Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC); and

ix.          Other key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government.

Calls and Conferences are secured with end to end encryption within GBB operated government network. GBB also has the capacity to provide both public and private sector organizations secure and reliable telepresence services from its State-of-the-Art Unified Communication Services (UCS) platform.

In this regard, Nigerians are to rest, assured that the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy will continue to use technology to ensure that there are no interruptions in crucial government meetings.  Virtual meetings will go ahead with all relevant stakeholders in a secure and reliable manner as we collectively tackle this challenge to humanity.

Signed

Uwa Suleiman (Mrs)

Spokesperson to the Honourable Minister of Communications & Digital Economy