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| Rufai, NigComSat Managing Director |
In his opening remark at a
Stakeholders’ Forum to discuss the NigComSat Incorporation Bill, the Managing
Director of NigComSat Limited, Engr. Ahmed Rufai made known that the bill which
was drafted for the future of the country was accepted by the National Assembly
on presentation and that no member is against the bill.
According to him, the bill was been
put together by a renowned lawyer, former President, Nigeria Bar Association,
Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), in the interest of the nation. Engr. Rufai said the bill
would prepare the company for global competitiveness as it would give the
company a sense of legality.
The bill seeks to position
NigComSat to be more decisive and effective in the highly competitive
communication satellite terrain. NigComSat would also be empowered 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.
With the bill NigComSat would be
able to enforce regulatory measures regarding to the general control of the
satellite communications sector.
The President, Association of
Telecom Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Engr. Lanre Ajayi commended the effort of
the administration of the former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for
establishing the nation’s satellite company.
“If we must develop broadband, we
must develop satellite technology,” Engr. Ajayi said that government needs to
continue in supporting the development of satellite technology. He is of the
opinion that incorporating the company is not a condition for government
intervention, that government’s business should be regulation.
He also urged NigComSat to stress
herself to the limited for productivity.
Supporting the view that
government’s business is regulation and providing an enabling environment is
Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, Chairman, Teledom International and Engr. Bayo Banjo,
President, Nigeria Internet Group (NIG).
Representing Olisa Agbakoba, Victor
Nwakasi said there is need to apply law to development process in Nigeria as a
developing nation. “You can’t not develop without the law,” he said emphasizing
that emerging issues needs law application before they go wrong.
The Stakeholders’ forum was jointly
organized by ICT Publishers Alliance and the Nigerian Communications Satellite
Limited in order to bring to the public consciousness industry issue to
encourage participatory engagements of all stakeholders.
The chairman, ICT Publishers
Alliance, Aaron Ukodie said there are certain things in the bill that needs
strengthening in getting a healthy bill that would serve the interest of the
nation and the ICT industry.
Ukodie also noted that the
NigComSat incorporation bill doesn’t overlap into the statutory functions of
the National Broadcasting Commission nor that of the Nigerian Communications
Commission with respect to allocation and management of frequency.
As a satellite operator, Ukodie
said NigComSat’s activities are expected to be under the guidance of the extant
laws of the satellite industry.
Some other present stakeholders believe that
NigComSat needs the bill to operate in an highly competitive and vibrant global
communication satellite industry which requires a fast-pace decision making
processes.
Yinka Awosanya
... Making SENSE of digital revolution!
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