FG builds 10 new ground satellite stations

Emeka Ezekiel, Abuja


The Federal Government said that it has built 10 new ground-based satellite stations across the country.



http://odili.net/news/source/2010/feb/18/810.html

The Surveyor General of the Federation, Mr. Austin Njepuome, disclosed this during a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday.

He stated that the stations are located in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Zaria, Ife, Yola, Birnin Kebbi and Gembu.

He said the ground-based satellite stations would be used for monitoring and tracking of objects both on ground and across the country's airspace.

Although he declined to comment on the cost of the project, a source at the Office of the Surveyor General told our correspondent that the project was estimated at over N400m.

According to Njepuome, "Nigeria was charged with responsibility of establishing nine African Reference Framework Stations. These are ground-based augmentation stations, which are strategically located all over the country. They are like satellite stations but rather than being in the air, they are now on the ground. So, gone are the days when we used to have air and sea accidents because of locational problems. If we can't track the satellites in the air, we can track the ones we have on the ground. Sequel to this, we have established 10 ground-based augmentation space stations .One of the stations is located at premises of the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation. Others are in Port Harcourt, Enugu , Zaria , Birnin Kebbi, Bauchi, Gembu, Yola, Lagos and Ife . We have even gone beyond nine, as required by the United Nations.

"The augmentation stations are like satellite stations. They help to accurately locate any structure, whether in the air or on the ground, such that even if you cannot catch the satellite in the air , you can catch it on the ground. This will aid aviation and navigation. Very soon , we shall have Global Positioning System in our vehicles because we now have all it takes to direct GPS stations that will be installed in the cars. This will give direction to the driver and help him or her locate a particular street just as the map will give you. If you know where you are going but cannot find your way, all you need to do is to use the GPS in your car as your guide. What will enable the GPS to work is what we have installed all over the country. Right now, the country is covered : there is nowhere in the country where you cannot get locational figures concerning where you are"

Dem never take light nau.

The last time they spoke about Satellite it was STOLEN, whats the assurance that this one will not go missing

Any contraption that cannot track how, when and where our money is being stolen is just a waste.
The contraption we should have been located in EFCC,LEGISLATURE,POLICE JUDICIARY<ICPC and such
places.

Naira no dey fly over Gembu

Only God knows how much this project cost tax payers.

We pray it work this time around. Nt like nig sat 2 that got miss. By now we should be able to enjoy free internet anywhere u go? When is glo goin to start their marine cable? Am nt feeling it either.