NGO commends NIGCOMSAT’s boss over ‘developmental policies’ in agency

The Competence Governance for Accountability and Civic Trust, a non-governmental organisation, has commended Abimbola Alale, chief executive officer of the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Ltd, over recent developmental programmes in the agency.

In a statement, on Monday, the NGO said Alale has introduced new policies to upgrade the satellite agency and boost the capacity of the staff.

The group noted that those raising questions about the validity and contributions of NIGCOMSAT to national development are attempting to drag the agency backward.

“The history and contributions of NIGCOMSAT Ltd from national development since inception to this moment has revealed that NIGCOMSAT has done creditably well in the circumstance it found itself. NIGCOMSAT Ltd has been a product of hard work and dedication. It became a government agency on the strength of the success recorded on the launch of NigComSat-1,” the NGO said.

“That successful launch compelled the federal government under the leadership of President Olusegun Obasanjo to change its status from a mere project office under the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to a full-fledged government agency with mandate to carry out operational functions and gain revenue to government under the federal ministry of communications and digital economy.

“The success and milestones of NIGCOMSAT Ltd under the watch of Dr. Abimbola Alale cannot be underscored at a 30-1hr hour press conference. We have gone round the facility of the company here in Abuja, we also interacted with management and staff of the company and we are more convinced that NIGCOMSAT and the staff therein represent some of the best Nigeria has assembled. Their services can best be compared to other satellite operators in the same industry globally.

“The Nig-kanet services launched in 2015 for ease of internet penetration through Very Small Aperture Terminal (V-SAT) is one of the important achievements of Dr. Abimbola Alale. Prominent amongst those on this platform are NIMC, NIPOST, Content Oasis just to mention but a few.

“Nigeria’s broadband penetration or digital channels for telecommuting and social interaction is another milestone we have noted. The satellite has aided broadband penetration which the ministry of communications and digital economy has been proudly elevated to high heavens.

“To sustain continuous service delivery to the Nigerian public, Dr. Abimbola Alale got the approval of the Hon. Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami to create two Strategic Business Unit (SBUs). These are the Satellite Infrastructural Company (SIC) and the Satellite Broadband and Broadcasting Company (SBBC). These two strategic Business units so far have live up to their biddings.”

The NGO also added that Alale deployed highly trained technical staff of the agency to train 600 youths in V-SAT installation across 12 states.

It added that the agency is planning to procure another communications satellite to ensure sustained service delivery beyond 2026 when NigComSat-1R would be out of service in the orbit.