NASRDA needs more funding to function effectively—Mamora

NASRDA needs more funding to function effectively—Mamora

AREWA AGENDA – The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Dr Adeleke Mamora says the National Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA), needs more funding to function effectively.

Mamora disclosed this when he featured in a special interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said the agency want to have its space port and launch its home grown satellite, but had a limited factor of funding issues.

“We want to ensure that we launch our own satellite, not that we didn’t have one before. I recall that we had satellite one, which had since been replaced by satellite two few years ago.

“We want to be sure that we launch our own satellite that is home grown and we will have a space port where we can also launch any other thing operating within the realm of the space.

“NASRDA is trying to put in place pollinatarium, where you can watch celestial bodies. We can also create space museum and all that.

“These are things that are not beyond us but the limiting factor is the issue of funding.”

He said efforts were made to get the best in terms of space economy, adding that it will serve as an advantage in the area of knowledge based economy.

Mamora said: “What I know is that efforts are being put in place to get the best in terms of space economy where we can take advantage of the knowledge based economy.

“We have people who are endowed and can inject that knowledge into the system in whatever area to make our system better and to assist and hasten our socio-economic development.

“There are so many efforts in that direction in regards to maximising benefits from knowledge of our people regarding getting the benefits of space technology, which is in a variety of ways.

“Related to that is using satellite for observation and communication. You can extrapolate that to whatever. NASRDA are so anxious to get Nigerians benefit for the satellite.”

The said that NASRDA was working with educational institutions across the country to offer free training to individuals.

He added that the ministry had a business case in place, which was awaiting the approval of the Federal Executive Council to kick off.

He said, ”the business was such that a private sector would partner with NASRDA in order to enjoy some benefits that would come with the partnership.

“They are working with our universities and other educational institutions to offer free training to these institutions.

“We now have a full business case in place which is now with a view to getting a private sector partner with NASRDA to really get in benefits from all these.

“We are waiting its presentation to the Federal Executive Council for approval and once we get approval for that, then we are on,” Mamora said. (NAN)