The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), has re-echoed its decision to embark on partnership with any organisation that will be valuable to the operation of the agency as well as benefit Nigerians in the application of space science and technology.
The NASRDA director-general, Dr. Halilu Shaba, made this known at the inauguration of the Project Delivery Team (PDT) for the Research and Development of Satellite Technology and equipment for the provision of cost-effective satellite broadband to rural Nigeria at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
Represented by the director, planning projects and research (PPR), Dr. Francis Chizea, Shaba emphasized that the project had received unprecedented support from the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST), Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning (FMFBNP), the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and Gilat Satellite Network, pointing out the need for more partnership for the actualization of this gigantic developmental project.
He explained that the project would directly impact research and development positively as it is going to birth a joint establishment of a research centre for the development of a new generation of ground-based satellite equipment.
The NASRDA boss expressed confidence in the PDT stating that with the scientists and engineers on the team who he described as people of great repute regarding their expertise, the broadband project was in good hands and would no doubt create avenue for revenue generation to improve the economic growth the country.
He further urged other public and private sector organisations, in the space science and technology sector, to bring on board their resources and competencies in collaboration with NASRDA to help proffer space-based solutions to the economic and insecurity challenges facing the nation.
The acting director-general of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Barr. Mike Oheanu represented by the head, special projects, Dr. Amanze Okere, in his inaugural speech, appreciated the cooperation of NASRDA in working towards achieving the project which was birthed in October 2017.
He commended the agency on its giant strides and its numerous achievements, saying there was need for a move towards the procurement stage as uninterrupted internet access is needed for their newly approved MDA.
In his remark, the representative of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Dr. Victor Fadipe, lauded the agency on sourcing and locally assembling its research materials that have attracted global recognition.
Representative of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Jummai Katagum, expressed satisfaction at how far the project had come, describing the project as viable and instrumental in actualizing Nigeria’s goal of becoming a full-blown digital economy.
