Pantami Tasks NIGCOMSAT on New KPIs, Unfolds Fresh Roadmap
Minister of Communications, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami
Emma Okonji
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, has again tasked the management and staff of the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) on a new Key Performance Indicators (KPI), capable of transforming the agency into an opportunity-driven entity, which will enhance its capacity to take risks in the fast-growing Nigerian ICT sector.
Pantami also unveiled fresh roadmaps that will help NIGCOMSAT achieve the new task.
Managing Director, NIGCOMSAT Limited, Dr. Abimbola Alale, disclosed this while unveiling two new subsidiary companies created within NIGCOMSAT, to stakeholders and channel partners, at the just concluded NIGCOMSAT Stakeholders’ Forum, with the theme, ‘NIGCOMSAT Ltd: The Present and The Future.’
According to Alale, based on the directives of the Minister, NIGCOMSAT strategically positioning itself for potential opportunities and risks, hence the creation of operational structures to facilitate its business aspirations.
“As we strive to achieve our vision to be the leading satellite communication solutions provider in Nigeria and Africa, NIGCOMSAT in 2020, obtained approval to form two subsidiary companies (SUBCOs). Firstly is the Satellite Infrastructure Company (SIC) which, will provide satellite upstream services such as Transponder Leasing, and In-orbit-Testing (IOT) services, Carrier Spectrum Management (CSM) services, among others. Secondly, the Satellite Broadband and Broadcasting Company (SBBC), set to provide satellite downstream services such as Broadband Internet Services, Broadcasting (DTH) services, among others,” Alale explained.
The Stakeholders’ Forum, which held recently in Lagos, gave NIGCOMSAT an opportunity to take stock of its achievements in the preceding years. It was also an avenue for channel partners and stakeholders in the telecoms industry to review NIGCOMSAT’s performance and operations.
NIGCOMSAT is a key player in the Nigeria National Broadband Plan (NNBP 2020-2025) as published by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and launched by President Muhammadu Buhari. The forum, thus, highlighted the contributions of NIGCOMSAT Ltd as a national digital economy service infrastructure providing satellite communication solutions to an array of customers.
Speaking on the contributions of NIGCOMSAT in the past years, Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, ALTON, Gbenga Adebayo, extol the operations of the company and urged its debtors to endeavour to pay up within the stipulated time for services rendered.
“NIGCOMSAT offers services to the public, including government, and any services rendered, be it to government, must be paid for. Satellite operations are key to telecommunications growth in the country, so NIGCOMSAT Ltd should be guided to succeed by all stakeholders,” Adebayo said.
Alale used the occasion of the stakeholders’ forum to announce plans by NIGCOMSAT to launch two new satellites, NigComSat-2 and NigComSat-3 in 2023 and 2025 respectively, that will replace the current NigComSat 1-R, which is expected to expire in 2026.
NigComSat-2 and NigComSat-3, when launched as scheduled, will replace NigComSat 1-R, which was launched in 2011.
NigComSat 1-R, which has a life span of 15 years, is expected to expire in 2026, hence the need for a replacement.
Alale, in her remarks, said: “l am pleased to inform stakeholders of our desire to acquire more satellites between now and 2025 with the NigComSat-2 (Hight Throughput Satellite) due for launch in 2023 while NigComSat-3 will be launched in 2025.”
Adebayo further said the launch of both satellites would enhance faster 5G rollout across the country.
