Nigeria yesterday took formal delivery of Nigeria Communication Satellite (NigComSat-1R), her communication satellite and in-orbit delivery with President Goodluck Jonathan, urging 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 who was represented by Prof. Turner Isoun, chairman, Board of NigComSat Ltd, said at the ceremony in Abuja that the new technology would quicken and expedite action on the activities of government for the benefit of Nigerians. The ceremony was performed at the Ground Control Station in Abuja where China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) the contractor handed over the satellite to Nigeria.
Elated President Jonathan said: “One of the cardinal activities of this administration is the need to improve the living conditions of our people by creating economic emancipation and empowerment through Information and Communication Technology (ICT), which has remained a viable transformation vehicle for our economic stability, educational growth and social welfare.”
Speaking further, the President disclosed that government had set in motion for the orbit to acquire NigComSat 2 and 3 as backups to NigComSat 1R. He therefore directed all MDAs to hook up to NigComSat- 1R to accelerate government policies and programmes to the benefit of the people, adding that, “China has been one of our bigger trade partners with whom we have had very robust bilateral relationship. That this satellite was replaced with no cost testifies to the faith and confidence the country has in Nigeria.”
Mrs. Omobola Johnson, minister of Communications Technology, had earlier said that the commencement of NigComSat-1R on commercial activities 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.
The ministry however will ensure that all MDAs and relevant stakeholders patronize NigComSat Ltd”, Johnson noted. Mr. Timasaniyu Rufai, managing director, NigComSat Limited, had explained that “the launch on December 19 last year of NigcomSat 1R in Xichnnag, China and the IOD remains to us and all Nigerians a spectacle of history. Nigeria has finally joined the big league in communications satellite service provision as NigComSat 1R boasts of several opportunities with footprints across Africa, part of Europe and Asia.” He expressed the determination of the agency to go to the next level by providing a satellite platform that would be the pride of all Africans in general and Nigeria in particular The MD said: “The NIgComSat 1R will enable us to meet our core mandate in covering the entire Africa, part of Europe and Asia with clear, clean and high resolution signals on our foot prints.”