NigComSat or NigComS**t?

Over the past two weeks we have heard the sad news of the disappearance of the multibillion Naira NigComSat 1, which for reasons yet to be confirmed, has vanished out of sight. There have been so many comments, explanations and reactions by our leaders and ordinary Nigerians to this situation. According to a Nigerian Guardian report:

“The Managing Director of the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, Mr. Ahmed Rufai, had confirmed to The [Nigerian] Guardian that the chances of recovering the satellite were very slim. He said although the project contractors, China Great Wall Industry Corporation, were yet to make any categorical statement on the possibility of recovery, yet he affirmed that “from our observatory here in Abuja, the chances are slim.”

The most recent reaction is the differing views of Nigerians living in the United States on this situation. While some believe that the United States Space Agency should be approached to assist the Federal Government of Nigeria in tracking down this NigComSat1; many other Nigerians abroad are of the opinion that the US should not be contacted to assist because in the first instance, Nigeria shunned US by asking China to launch the Spacecraft. Recent reports actually now has it that it is no longer a case of a missing NigComSat1 that could be falling back to land in God knows where on earth; for now news has it that it has been de-orbited and lost forever. Gone with the planets! Oh over 40 billion Naira, gone just like that, without achieving zilch!!!

“IT has now been confirmed that the disintegrating N29.95 billion ($256 million) NigComSat - 1 flown into orbit about a year ago by China Great Wall Industry Incorporation (CGWIC) is irreparably damaged and has been safely de-orbited to its eternal resting place in the heavens”.
“The satellite was consequently de-orbited to avoid total loss of power and control of the satellite which could result in damages to other satellites in the orbit or even aircraft in flight.”

This seems to have put paid to the issue of contacting American, Russian or even Iranian Space Agency for help. On this issue, the Minister for Science and Technology Mrs Grace Ekpiwhere was said to have:

“…Summoned top government officials in the ministry to ascertain the true situation of the satellite. According to a statement from the Ministry of Science and Technology in Abuja, yesterday in attendance at the meeting were the Managing Director of NigComSat, Mr. Ahmed Rufai and the DG of National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Prof Robert Boroficce. Also at the meeting were chief executives of technical departments of the ministry, including the Minister of State, Dr.Alhassan Bako Zaku, and the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Raymond Ezenwa. According to the statement, the meeting which lasted over three hours, received detailed briefing from chief executives of the corporate agencies concerned —NigComSat and NASRDA. “During the meeting, all the critical issues concerning the current status of the satellite, the technical agreement between Nigeria and China, the insurance of the satellite, the fate of the clientele, the security of the satellite and the data were fully and exhaustively discussed,” it said.

Nigerians are awaiting the full report or feedback from the powers that be on the true situation of things. Nigerians have the right to know what happened to over 40billion Nigerian Naira; but it doesn’t just stop here, for the latest reports in Nigerian news has it that:

“The management of NigComSat Limited has appealed to the House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology to prevail on the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to approve the utilisation of $500 million (N59 billion) concessionary loan for the construction of NigComSat 2 and 3 advanced series”…courtesy Gamji.com- 19th November 2008.

Now this is interesting and don’t know if I am hearing right! Please educate me. Nigerians are screaming blue murder that they cannot even live life above poverty line, hospitals are grossly ill-equipped, schools and universities are sinking especially in rankings, roads are death traps…and Nigeria is launching or lunching on Satellites? The enquiry into the fate of NigComSat 1 is not out, lessons to learn have not been identified, and without any regard as to how Nigerians are feeling about this, more money is being solicited for what???

1. Do we need the Nigcoms**t above Nigerian welfare, and so so urgently?
2. Why are Nigerians now seeking 500billion naira loan when they say NigComS**t1 was insured fully to the tune of 112million Euros?
3. Why after 1 failed NigComS**t, are we being propelled into double the trouble?
4. Who would be building these NigComS**t 2&3? Same Chinese Great Wall Industry Corporation or now the Americans, Canadians or Russians?
5. What guarantees that NigComS**t 2&3 will not follow their predecessor NigComS**t1 and simply disappear again into orbit?
6. What is in it for some particular people who have decided to put NigComS**t above the welfare of the ordinary Nigerians?

Questions, questions, questions? And I will appreciate answers, even if just to educate me, thanks.

Anyway let us keep our ears open and in a few years time calculate the trillions of Naira that has disappeared into space while the ordinary Nigerians languish suffer and die, either on roads, in hospitals or at home, while our leaders are still allowing our Naira to be “gone with the wind”.

Are Nigerian leaders gradually working their way into a revolution? The people are feeling very uneasy about these cases of misplaced priorities in Nigeria.