The Ogun State Government has entered into an agreement with a private firm, MainOne Cable Nigeria Limited, for the provision of Broadband internet facility in Abeokuta, the state capital, and its environs.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, who signed the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of government, said it was a further testimony of the determination of the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration, to further improve the technological infrastructure of the state.
“We intend to pass two messages. One is to underscore our seriousness that Ogun State, in our time, will be taken on the Information Communication Technology super highway and to further underscore the fact that, when we say something, with the help of God, we truly mean it.
“I can tell you confidently, that Main One is going to deploy optic fibre across the state, to support and further expand our infrastructure back bone,” Adeoluwa said.
The SSG, who disclosed that the firm would provide the service for 30 years, in the first phase of the agreement, added that government, on its part, will provide free right of way for it to lay its 250 km optic fibre cable across the state at no cost.
Adeoluwa also listed public buildings, including the state government secretariat at Oke-Mosan, model schools and the ongoing Central Business District, Oke-Ilewo, as some of the immediate beneficiaries of the project.
Also speaking, a Director and Chief Finance Officer of MainOne Cable Nigeria Limited, Mr. Babatunde Dada, expressed confidence that when operational, the project will attract more investors to the state, adding that the state, particularly the capital, Abeokuta, will soon become a “smart city”.
He assured that his company would bring its experience, spanning over eight years, to bear on the project.
Among those present at the event, were the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Otunba Dayo Adeneye, Special Adviser to the Governor on ICT, Mr. Bunmi Adebayo, and some top Government functionaries.