NCRS Opens Lab In Varsity

The National Centre for
Remote Sensing (NCRS), Jos, is to inaugurate an Advanced Space Technology Application Laboratory (ASTAL) at the Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo,  in Ebonyi.
The Director General of  NCRS, Dr Effron Gajere, who disclosed this at the university, noted that the centre would serve the South East Zone.
Gajere said he was in the institution to ascertain its readiness for the commencement of the project.
“The NCRS is saddled with the responsibility of providing remote sensing in Nigeria and in 2011, “ such centre was established at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom, to serve the South-South Zone.
“The laboratory, when completed in FUNAI, will serve the tertiary institutions and relevant government agencies in the South East Zone.
“Researchers and students in physical sciences will be the major beneficiaries as it would also generate data to solve the zone’s environmental challenges.
“These challenges include urban, disaster and flood management, as I enjoin the university management to expedite action in providing a temporary office for our staff, “he said.
He also enjoined the institution’s management to allot a land where the laboratory would be built to achieve the intended aim.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, thanked the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology for choosing the institution to inaugurate the project.
“We are open to other governmental agencies and private organisations for investment, partnership and collaboration in mutually benefiting and rewarding areas.
“We would immediately make efforts toward providing the necessary logistics for the commencement of the project as we would strictly adhere to our culture of excellence.
“I appeal to the NCRS DG to use his office to ensure that the laboratory building plan takes cognisance of Ebonyi’s tropical nature for its durability, “ he said.
Our correspondent reports that Gajere was accompanied on the visit by the Director of Strategic Space Applications in the Nigeria Space Research and Development Agency, Dr Halilu Ahmad.