Space programmes: Stakeholders move against bill before NASS

STAKEHOLDERS of Nigerian spaceprogrammes have raised the alarm over a bill before the National Assembly (NASS), which they said when passed might duplicate the functions of an existing government agency, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).The proposed bill, which was sponsored by Honourable Ibrahim Shehu Geshua, was reported to have passed second reading in the House of Representatives. The stakeholders noted that the bill was not only embarrassing to the nation but amounted to telling the international community that there was no law in Nigeria.The bill entitled A Bill for an Act to Establish the Nigerian Communications Satellite Corporation when it becomes operational would empower to engage in, purchase or otherwise acquire or take over all or any of the assets, business, company, firm or person in furtherance of any business relating to the satellite communications industry.It would equally enforce all regulatory measures relating to the general control of the satellite communications sector the power to design and launch satellites as well as regulating the space sector.Worried by the development, some stakeholders in a statement signed by Mr Moses Agu, Professor Sani Mashi, Professor Oluyemi Ayeni and Professor Pius Okeke, expressed fear why the bill would be entertained on the floor of the House of Representatives now that the Federal Government was making frantic efforts to rationalise ministries, departments and agencies with similar functions to reduce the cost of governance. The statement added that Section (6) of NASDRA Act 2010 provided that 'The agency shall develop satellite technology for various applications and operationalise indigenous space systems or providing space services and shall be the government agency charged with the responsibilities for building and launching satellites.'It stressed that by way of regulation, the Act empowered the council to grant licence to any person or corporate body for activities stated in Section 6 of the Act, a mandate which is in line with international best practices.
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