Business
FG Set To Sell Off Nigeria Communications Satellite
The Federal Government
has indicated its intention of selling off the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NICOMSAT).
This was revealed by the Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) Mr. Benjamin Dikki when the Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency, Prof. Seidu Mohammed paid him a courtesy visit.
A statement signed by the Acting Head of Public Communications, BPE, Mr. Alex Okoh, and made available to The Tide, said it was necessary to inject entrepreneurial spirit into Nigcomsat in order to make the company commercially viable. He explained that in privatizing Nigconsat, the security of the nation would not be compromised.
According to him, the BPE would strategise and evaluate how much private sector participation would be required in the company to drive its growth.
Dikki stressed that the BPE would rely on informed guidance from key stakeholders to determine the model of privatisation to be recommended to the National Council on Privatisation for adoption in the privalisation of Nigcomsat.
He said that in executing the transaction the Joint Delivery Team, comprising the BPE, the Ministry of Communication Technology, NASRDA and other key stakeholders would be empanelled for the purpose.
According to him, information and communications technology that encompasses satellite systems and telecommunications is critical to the growth of any nation.
Mohammed said the purpose of the visit was to appraise the BPE of the activities of his agency and to seek more clarification on the planned privalisation of Nigcomsat.
The NASRDA boss explained that there was a need for communication satellite for all Nigerians as it was vital not only for telecommunications but also for earth characterization to support the agricultural sector of the country.