By Kayode Falade
The Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited, is moving speedily towards launching the country`s satellite NigComSat-2, even as the current one, NigComSat-1, will not be consigned to the dustbin at its expiration, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited, Engr Tukur Mohammed Lawal Funtua, has said.
Funtua, in an interview with reporters recently, explained that he met the plans to launch the country`s new satellite in the making when he assumed office last December.
He, however, said the plan would be accelerated to see that it is completed in time so as put the country on the pedestal it deserves.
He said, “Plans to launch the second satellite were already in place before I arrived. We are moving forward to make sure it is completed as quickly as possible. This is because we are not relying on anything to chance in any way. NIGCOMSAT Ltd must make sure that the satellite remains operational, useful, and in service to the people.”
The NIGCOMSAT) Limited helmsman also disclosed that the current satellite, NigComSat-1, was coming gradually to the end of its lifespan but that would not be that it would no longer be useful.
“The current satellite was put into orbit on December 19, 2011, and it is to last for 15 years. So far, from 2011 to now, you can see that it has three more years of active life. But take note that a satellite`s end of life is not necessarily it is ready for the graveyard, no. It has a few more years to serve its customers before being forced to the graveyard,” Funtua said.
He described the workforce he met at his assumption of office as an efficient one that knew its onions.
“As l earlier mentioned, when l came to NIGCOMSSAT Ltd, l met an excellent workforce who is prepared and ready to work. Everyone knows what to do and when to do it. Just a little push to incline with the standards as the case is in the private sector.
“However, that does not deny the fact that there are no challenges in the company. Like any other company, either private or government, operations in such company are humans and machines and there are bound to have challenges. In the case of NIGCOMSAT Ltd, the human resources are wonderful.
“For the machines, we are trying to fix those that need to be fixed. They are machines and with the wear and tear of machines, we are bound to experience failure at some point in time. So we are fixing the broken ones,” he said.
Funtua described the agency as a gold mine which potential had not been fully tapped.
He said, “With the help of all employees, I intend to grow NIGCOMSAT Ltd. from where it is today to a position where it will be a significant participant among its peers internationally. NIGCOMSAT Ltd. is a gold mine, as I previously stated, and until we grasp that we are on a goldmine, we will not fully appreciate the possibilities of this business.
“NIGCOMSAT Ltd is one of the critical government infrastructures. It indicates that the government made a deliberate investment in the communication satellite industry to guarantee that it met certain predetermined objectives of enhancing governance.”