21 November 2008
editorial
Were NigComSat- 1, the Nigerian satellite that died in orbit, human, a decent mourning period would have been expected. Even as a piece of scientific ware, its disappearance deserves moments of circumspection.
Mr. Ahmed Rufai, Managing Director of Nig-ComSat confirmed the irredeemable loss of the $256 million satellite in the same breath that he asked the House of Representatives to approve another $500 million for two new satellites.
Should we approve two new satellites without knowing what happened to the first one? The glib explanations are not enough. It is equally nauseating to parade an insurance cover for the satellite as an achievement.
A feeble explanation that satellite disappearance is normal is insulting, inciting and insipid for a $256 million venture which we embarked on with high promises of the platforms it would offer Nigerians for development.
While the satellite was in orbit what did it do? However, its manager never failed to latch on any publicity opportunity that promoted its existence. Once it was touted as the solution to census manipulations. We were told it would provide early warnings about disasters, aid the rapid expansion of telecommunication and anything else that crossed the minds of its minders.
There have been floods in various parts of the country since then, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, never got a report from NigComSat. There are no indications that the other sectors did. Who did NigComSat serve?
Agreed, international commentators, including the Economist doubted the viability of a satellite that cost $256 million, it is still no reason for Nigeria to suffer such loss and all that the manager of the organisation thinks about is that he needs two new satellites in space. The Economist making an analogy with meals had said the $256 million budgeted for NigComSat-1 could purchase the equivalent of a sandwich, not a real meal.
Mr. Rufai did not address any issues about the adequacy of what we had in space, any special challenges it suffered, and guarantees that the new satellites he is proposing would not go the same way. There is deafening silence from the Chinese who have made their money and are willing to provide a loan for two more satellites.
The House of Representatives meeting should have been a time for sobriety on Nigeria and space technology. If not for our propensity mostly for the profane, what business does a country with barely any functional science and technology faculty in its schools have dabbling into space technology?
Many outstanding issues on the disappearance of NigComSat-1 deserve resolution before Nigeria returns to a business it does not understand. These may be the days of putting money ahead of thinking, but Mr. Rufai owes Nigerians some explanations, especially if he realises there may be no more money to throw into space.
The national embarrassment the loss caused Nigeria needs to be addressed. It may not be too much to tell Nigerians the gains of the lost $256 million investment - it is their money, they should know.
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hello nigerians, this satellite is not lost. it was stolen by the chinese firm and their nigerian PDP pen robbers. let us get foreign investigators, and my point will be proven. if obasanjo can clear a bush to show he commissioned a power plant under the power probe revelatioins. what has happened on this satellite issue is the same. it is either no satellite was installed or that the pet project was a sham to siphon the money out of the treasury. obj and his men should tell us the following; when was the contract given? did it go through due process? how were the payments made? any bank guarantee? any certification levels? was it a bullet payment? or payments in tranches? who certified the completion? who commissioned it for launching? where was it launched? how many nigerians witnessed the launching? how many foreign news media aired the launching? by the time all these questions are answered, we will confirm my suspicions. nigerians wake up. i am as usual, CAPITAL G.C.
In a country where poverty is as rampant as sand, this capital investment could have been invested in real investement as to purchase of ownership in indusrial corporations with the intent of having Nigerians learn from the world as to corporate management and integration into the world's economies and expand their horizon from free oil, working for a change to earn their money in coal, iron & steel, mineral and agricultural developments. We are glued to oil and banking and nothing else. We will be a proud country when we can attract Germans, Japanese, Koreans, Brazillians and mainly United States to come and have structural investments here without punitive or shameful look because of our shortcomings. Nigerians are known all over the world as as percentage sellers NOT manufacturers. Even our daily meals depend on other countries supply. Wake up Nigeria DEVELOP YOUR ENVIRONMENT FOR TOURISM, INDUSTRIES, AND COMMERCE AND MAKE YOUR SELF THE KING OF AFRICA YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE. War ridden countries have more public facilities than Nigeria. we are at war with ourselves. Every country have their trademark but not Nigeria. Shameful for Phillipines stealing oil in Nigeria without sensor ringing anywhere. Goodluck Mr. B