Nigerian govt. set to launch 2 additional satellites

The Federal Government said on Monday that everything is ready to launch two additional satellites by Nigeria Communication Satellite, NIGCOMSAT, Limited.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, revealed this during a tour of the facilities and an interaction with the NIGCOMSAT management team in Abuja.

The Nigerian News Agency reports that the satellites are: NigComSat-2 and NigComSat-3.

“As I said before, 2022 has been dedicated to NigComSat and NIPOST and I want to do my best to improve on what we have achieved in the previous years.

“I recently approved two subsidiaries of NIGCOMSAT LTD and I am here to monitor what they have been doing.

“I have discovered some areas where we need to work to significantly improve their performance,” he said.

Pantami also said that for the agency not to be considered for privatization again, it must provide quality service and generate good income.

“The efforts made to stop the privatization of NIGCOMSAT are for the good of the company and for the good of the country.

“It needs to change things through the unique and effective service it can provide and the revenue it generates for the government.

“It is a difficult task to revive an institution and make it very successful. The challenge of reviving NIGCOMSAT is not just a necessity, but an obligation for all staff,” he said.

The Minister also said that the purpose of his visit was to address the great challenges that required the attention of the Federal Government.

Mr. Pantami said the visit was to motivate and encourage staff members on the core values, which were the guiding principles that must be embraced without compromise to ensure the success of the organization.

NIGCOMSAT Director General Abimbola Alale appreciated the Federal Government’s efforts to ensure that NIGCOMSAT was operating at its full capacity.

“We thank the Minister for the increase in the budget allocation for the company that needs capital after general expenses.

“He defended us and insisted that there must be something good in NIGCOMSAT. Because he is a man who believes that we can actually turn NIGCOMSAT on its head,” he said.

The Director General also promised the Minister the willingness of the agency to provide quality service and generate revenue to justify his efforts to revitalize the agency.

“This year, the Minister has given us many challenges and I know that we are ready to meet the challenges. The subsidiaries are self-financing and sustaining.

“This year, Nigerians need new significant changes to let them know that NIGCOMSAT is a new company,” he said.

NAN informs that some of the places visited included in the Facility Tour were the Satellite Control Center, SCC, Network Operations Center, NOC and others.