Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Ibrahim Kana has disclosed that the Nigerian military needs more satellites to improve internal security in the country.
Kana disclosed this at a stakeholders forum during the ‘Nigerian Satellite Week’ organised by the Nigerian Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited on Thursday, in Abuja.
With the theme ‘Harnessing Communication Satellites for sustainable development’, he
said satellite was key to addressing some of the challenges in the military operations, and that satellite helps for easy communication and monitoring of movements in various areas.
” With the launching of more satellites, we are going to be having real-time information, real-time imagery. And we can actually monitor even our enemies and the bandits everywhere, wherever that location might be.
” With the partnership with NIGCOMSAT and with more satellites in space, we are going to be monitoring everything .I can guarantee you that we wont miss anybody coming by our way,” Kana said.
He further stated that the Defence Space Administration has the capability of taking pictures of satellite imagery on all the routes that troops are available, saying it enhances operation and reduce casualties of troops.
Kana said the one of the key aspects about the military was communication and intelligence gathering, adding that without satellite their job would be restricted.
He underscored the role technology plays in military warfare, adding: “We have moved from normal military operation to advanced military operation. We now use drones, and without satellite, we cannot operate our drones.
“Drone surveillance is optimal for overseeing significant events, allowing rapid deployment and comprehensive monitoring to prevent illicit activities and safeguard event attendees.
“NIGCOMSAT is in partnership with the Ministry of Defence and key agencies in providing digital service to the country.”
The Managing Director, NigComSat, Jane Edgerton-Idehen said they were working to increase their customer base to dominate the Nigerian market.
“We want to increase our customer base and dominate the Nigerian market. “We have started the work. So we’ve done our inside work and now we are coming out to talk about it, just like you said. So the patronage can improve.
So we can tell people, this is what we’re doing, this is what we’ve done. So people can see the reason to actually do business with my company.
“We see a future where 70% of our revenue will come from the Nigerian market.We see a future where in the satellite sector.Because right now there are so many private sector operators here. But the truth is a lot of people they serve are actually government agencies,” she said.
Also speaking on the need for Nigeria to have more satelites, Chief Executive Officer Tetconsult, Mr. Scholars Tayloy said:
“What you want to do is to have the right number of satellites to be able to carry traffic that you need.
“That’s a continuous exercise. Traffic will continue to grow We will continue to do more and more based on the traffic that’s growing.
“You can’t say this is the number, but I can tell you today there must be close to 10 satellites that Nigeria is using for various reasons, including NICOMSAT, including NASA and other foreign satellites.”
