The Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) has revealed its willingness to enter into a partnership with Galaxy Backbone (GBB) Limited to create smart home systems in Nigeria.
This topic was central when the management of the institute, led by its director-general, Prof. Samson Duna, paid a courtesy call on the director-general of Galaxy Backbone, Prof. Muhammad Abubakar at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
The NBRRI boss restated the agency’s commitment to ensuring a better and more sustainable environment and improved infrastructure in the country.
Duna explained that the visit was to find areas of collaboration between both agencies to facilitate a smart environment in the country, as he gave a background of the organisation’s history, vision and mission.
According to him, the NBRRI, established in 1978, has come up with innovations to boost Nigeria’s built environment. He further highlighted some of the innovations, research and developments (R&Ds) by NBRRI and its prospects in boosting the country’s economy through local contents and affordability of standard and durable construction materials.
He thanked the GBB boss for the support NBRRI has enjoyed from the organisation, pointing out the erection of a communication mast at NBRRI’s headquarters has been of immense benefit to it. He went ahead to request for the same support to be extended to its office in Ota, Ogun State and other zonal offices.
Finally, he spoke on the need for collaboration in building construction and working as partners in adding its quota to the development of the country’s economy.
Abubakar expressed satisfaction with the visit of NBRRI. He stated that since the establishment of Galaxy Backbone by the Federal Government in 2006, a lot of achievements have been made in trying to connect and uplift the country digitally, to meet up with the global realities of digitalisation.
He explained that the ongoing connection and erection of communication masts in all MDGs and states across the country has gone past the first stage and the second stage, which is currently underway, will be concluded before the end of the first quarter of 2023, to get the country entirely digitalised and the positive impacts felt by all.
Based on the requests by Duna, Bello graciously accepted to work towards the realisation of these requests. He further stated that the area of collaboration is very important at this time and explained that Galaxy Backbone needs the NBRRI more in ensuring that digital connections are a part of building plans for and construction of housing estates, to make them known as ‘smart homes’.
Finally, Bello conducted a tour around the facility, with both agencies promising to set up a team to fashion out areas of possible collaboration and way forward.
