Panel Recommends Privatisation Of NIGCOMSAT

3rd Aug 2007

ByJonah Iboma

A report by a committee set up by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology to review its agencies has recommended a quick privatisation of the Nigerian Communications Satellite Company Limited.
The satellite firm has indicated interest in providing last mile telecoms services (that is providing services directly to consumers). But the move has been opposed by both the Nigerian Communications Commission and other telecoms operators.

According to the report of a panel called the Peer Review Committee, which was obtained by our correspondent, the firm ought to be privatised because the delivery of telecoms service to subscribers is outside the mandate of the company.

NIGCOMSAT was set up by the Nigerian Airspace Research Development Agency.
A section of the report said, “The panel does not find any relevance between the mandate of NASRDA and the activities of that company with respect to telecoms service delivery to subscribers.
“The NIGCOMSAT, currently brokered by NASRDA, should be privatised.”

Besides the privatisation of NIGCOMSAT, the report also recommended a change in the NASRDA leadership in line with professional qualifications required to provide proper direction for it.
The report reads, “Although the panel observed very good leadership qualities in the management of NASRDA; it noted nonetheless that the background of the leadership was not in space science/ technology.
“The leadership of NASRDA should be a Research Professor in Space Science/ Technology or at least an experienced professional in that field.”

Part of its recommendations was that NASRDA staffing establishment should be tailored to meet the needs of research, development and innovation in space science/technology, noting that the agency should encourage professional development programme for its younger staff.
The panel, which was set up by the former Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Turner Isoun, also reviewed the activities of the National Information Technology Development Agency.
But recommendations on NIGCOMSAT could strengthen the position of its critics who opposed its quest to enter last mile telecoms services.

They had questioned the decision of the government’s firm to seek last mile licences, especially against the backdrop of government’s moves to completely hands off direct provision of telecoms services to the masses. They also condemned its stance for portraying the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Engr. Ernest Ndukwe, as the one denying them a licence.

According to the President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigerian, ATCON, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuweme, NIGCOMSAT needs to garner more experience in its current satellite business before seeking a licence to operate core mobile telephony services.

 Source: punch

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