By Dele Ogbodo
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Hon. Abubakar Lado Suleija,
on Wednesday gave his unreserved support to Federal Government through the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr. Ibrahim Pantami), on the commercialization drive of the NIGCOMSAT Ltd activities.
The commercialization of the nation’s strategic infrastructure, SHARPEDGENews learnt will set the tone for the realization of the company’s set objectives as well as meeting its contributions toward the actualization of a sustainable digital economy in the country.
Expressing his views shortly after an on the spot familiarization visit to NIGCOMSAT facilities in Abuja, Suleija expressed optimism that with the full commercialization of the company, the country stands to gain more in revenue generation and more employment opportunity for the teaming masses than from privatization.
However, the Chairman while fielding questions from reporters, regretted government’s under-utilization of the nation’s strategic infrastructure, adding: While other countries are optimizing the satellite communication space resources to advance their economy, MDAs and the private sector in the country have not gainfully taken this opportunity to grow their businesses here at home instead they rely more on foreign satellite services.
‘It is a common knowledge that portfolio businessmen prefer to patronize foreign satellite resources which to me is not only expensive but a disservice to the nation’, He said.
Expressing his intention to champion the deepening of the use of ICT for the growth of the economy in the country through adequate legislation, s further Suleija, dvised NIGCOMSAT management to urgently open more regional offices to ensure that ICT industry sustains the current economic direction of the country.
In a remark, the Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer, NIGCOMSAT Ltd, Dr. Abimbola Alale, described the oversight function of members of the House of Representative committee on ICT as timely as their support would enable the company positioned itself towards better service delivery to Nigerian people.
She said: “We are encouraged by your visit and mindful of advises given, we want to assure you that we shall work very hard to meet the expectations of Nigerians and the KPIs set by the HM MoCDE to put the company on the pact of better service delivery and greater visibility. It is my belief that with good legislative support, NIGCOMSAT shall re-position itself as a key revenue earner for the government.” the MD/CEO affirmed.
According to her, with the support for commercialization, the company will be better challenged to carry out its function optimally and also create room for employment as more regional offices would be opened.