Nigeria enters comms ‘big league’
GOVERNMENT
By BiztechAfrica - March 22, 2012, 9:13 a.m.
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered full use of the country’s new comms satellite, which is seen as a herald of a new era in the country’s communications capacity.
The President formally took delivery from the contractor, China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC), at the Ground Control Station in Abuja this week. This marks the official start of the satellite’s commercial activities.
He urged government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to henceforth deploy and take advantage of this new technology, thereby making it mandatory for all government agencies to use the facility.
President Jonathan also allayed the fears of existing and potential customers that there was nothing to worry about as Government has set in motion machinery to acquire NigComSat-2 and 3 as backups to NigComSat-1R, in case of any unforeseen problems, as happened in the past.
Earlier, Communications Technology Minister, Omobola Johnson, said the commencement of commercial activities on NigComSat-1R opens up several opportunities and gains for the industry stakeholders to bring the benefits of this key ICT infrastructure to end-users.
“Given the importance of this Satellite to Nigeria and Africa, the Ministry would explore and provide NIGCOMSAT Limited with necessary support to take the lead by capturing a large share of the communications market over its coverage areas in Africa, Europe and Asia, thereby generating high revenues and creating job opportunities in Nigeria. However, the Ministry will ensure that all MDAs and relevant stakeholders patronize NigComSat Ltd.”
The MD and CE of NigComSat, Engr. Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai explained that with the launch of the satellite, “ Nigeria has finally joined the big league in communications satellite service provision, as NigComSat-1R boasts of several opportunities with footprints across Africa, parts of Europe and Asia.”
“But we are firmly resolved to go to the next level by providing a Satellite platform that will be the pride of all Africans in general and Nigeria in particular.’
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