FG to establish N3.5bn space museum in Abuja

The Federal Executive Council yesterday the setting up of N3.5bn space museum and planetarium in Abuja.

The Minister of Science and Technology and Innovation, Adeleke Mamora, disclosed this to reporters after the FEC meeting.

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He said the project, being handled under Public-Private Partnership, would be sited at the premises of National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) in Abuja.

“Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation presented a memo to the council in respect of Public-Private Partnership brought by one of our of our agencies and that is  NASRDA.

“The memo is essentially to secure partnership on the upgrade, equipping and marketing of the space museum and planetarium.

“And the buildings meant for this project has been in place since 2018; but because of non-availability of funds to put the necessary equipment in place, the project has been stalled,” he said.

Mamora said the approval came after the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari at the National Space Council meeting earlier in the year, directing that the Director-General of NASRDA should explore and exploit collaboration with the private sector.

He added that a proposal was received from a private company in Nigeria.

“Fortunately, the memo was approved and the cost of the project is about N3.5bn and it is at no cost to government; the project will last for about 15 years when, thereafter, it reverts to the Federal Government,” he said.

he said the project would provide jobs for more than 200 people and provide an opportunity for learning experience in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Planetarium is a theatre built for the presentation of education and entertainment on space science.