FG calls for private sector participation in space technology

The Federal Government has called for private sector’s participation in the national space programmes for accelerated development of the industry.

The acting Director General of National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) Dr Francis Chizea, who made the call at the fourth retired Brig. Gen. Michael Agu annual lecture and conferment of fellowship awards in Abuja, said funding of space programmes solely by the public sector has slowed development in the space industry.

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“The problem is that we don’t have all the facilities that we require today and only the government has been funding our space programmes.

“The requirements for space are huge and there is need for the private sector to join government’s efforts to ensure we have a robust space programme,” Chizea said.

He said space programmes in many advanced countries of the world are executed through a partnership between government and the private sector.

For the sustenance of space programmes in the country, Nigeria needs active private sector participation, the acting DG added.

According to him, working in synergy with related government agencies will also save cost and avoid duplication of projects.

Chizea also called for better inter- agency collaboration on the space programmes for better results.

Chizea explained that satellite technology has the capacity of improving lives and ensure socio-economic development of the country, adding that the country has a robust space policy.

He said that the National Space Policy Road-map commissioned in 2000 was aimed at addressing national issues like flooding, insecurity, health, among others.