The House of Representatives has asked for a status report on the Nigerian communications satellite, popularity known as NigComSat-1.

The satellite, which was first launched into the orbit on May 13, 2007, cost the Federal Government N34bn and the contact was executed by the China Great Wall Industry Corporation.

However, a member from Enugu State, Mr. Toby Okechukwu, told the House that the satellite was de-orbited in November 2008 due to some technical faults.

He added that though the satellite was relaunched in December 2011, with a lifespan of 15 years, he alleged that NigComSat-1 was “lying idle in space.”

Okechukwu expressed disbelief that the satellite had remained idle in space at a time that Nigeria was facing multiple communications challenges, including high cost of Internet.

He called on the House to investigate the alleged inter-agency rivalry between the National Space Research and Development Agency and the Nigeria Communications Satellite Limited, said to be the reason why the satellite was idle.

Okechukwu’s motion read in part, “The House observes that despite the enormous communications potential of the NigComSat-1, coupled with its 28 active transponders and 12 redundant transponders as payloads, Nigeria’s NigComSat-1 has not been put to optimum use since 2011 when it was relaunched.”

The House said that when put to use, the satellite could conveniently support over 168 television stations “simultaneously and each television programme could be broadcast in three or four different languages concurrently.”

The House demanded a status report on the satellite and directed its committees on Science/Technology and Information Technology to investigate the alleged rivalry between the two sister government agencies.



Naawaoo

Reference: http://punchng.com/house-demands-bn-nigcomsat-1/