NigComSat-1: Did We Fail To Plan?

May 14, 2007 was no doubt a remarkable day in Nigeria. It was the day Nigeria joined the league of communication satellite owners following the historic hosting of the country's first communication satellite in the orbit, thanks to the manufacturers, China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC).

The unveiling of the communication satellite was seen as a step in the right direction by the out-going Obasanjo administration considering the enormous benefits derivable from a project of this nature.

It was hoped the launch will bring a boost to the communication industry especially in the effort at bridging the digital divide separating the country from the rest of the developed economies of the world.

It is however, disappointing and embarrassing that 18 months after this historic launch, the communication satellite has been reported missing from the orbit.

Whatever doubt anybody had when the news was first broken by a Lagos based daily, would now have become history as subsequent reactions to the news by the managing director of Nigeria Communication Satellite (NigComSat), Ahmed Rufai confirm that all is not well with the satellite.

The present situation of the communication satellite is undoubtedly an indictment on the country's policy formulation standards. Just like every other sector of the nation's economy, it has been harvest of policy somersault in both the country's Science & Technology as well as Communication ministries. Experts are not allowed to chart the path of progress for the country in all aspects of her national endeavour.

Many Nigerians have not forgotten in a hurry, the ill-fated and controversial Aerostat Balloon Station Project meant for the then Nigerian Post and Telecommunications firm (P & T) in 1976 which was later to be abandoned by the contractor after collecting a huge mobilization fee coming from the country's coffers.

It is rather unfortunate that after spending a whopping N40billion on the satellite project, the country could not point at any significant benefit it made from it. Internet access and other telecommunication services are still far from the reach of the country's rural dwellers.

Yet, quality of broadcasting in this part of the world is far from attaining international standard. And here we are faced with the truth of the loss of the country's communication satellite.

In aspiring to be a respected member of the global community, this magazine counsels that things should be properly done especially in the overall interest of the nation. And this is where we are worried about becoming one of the 20 leading economies of the world come 2020 in just 12 years from now.

We could end up laying shaky foundations with the kind of rush associated with assuming this membership.

Satellites are prone to developing problems as is evident in the news that over 20 satellites have had one problem or the other since the beginning of 2008. How are we sure that even when a new satellite project is funded, that the country is not going to get a similar story?

We must study this Space business and ascertain the country's readiness to play in it. This is the way forward.