Managing Director of Menasat Group, a United Kingdom (UK) space satellite firm, Mr. Hani Salem has partnered with the federal government to invest $250 million into its space satellite programme that would last till 2020.
Salem said the outfit was encouraged to invest in Nigeria’s space satellite programme because of National Space Research and Development Agency (NSRDA) in the last few years.
Salem who spoke during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the Director General of NSRDA, Prof. Seidu Mohammed, in Abuja, said “We promise to do everything we can to make this partnership a success.
“Menasat is investing in the satellite sector and earth observations because NSRDA has done a lot in the area of satellite development.
“Here are talking about the latest in satellite technology and we have the capacity to build upon what NSRDA has done.
“First of all our core specialisation is in the production of synthetic aperture reader satellite technology, and we believe that this will be of great benefits to our outfit and Nigeria.”
Mohammed “Here we have always had these complaints, even though we are the national repository for satellite imagery, we have not been able to provide all the required images.
“In the light of that we have specially taken this opportunity in order to satisfy the Nigerian market.
“We hope that with this collaboration with Menasat Group, job opportunities will be created.
“What we have also done is in complete agreement with the new administration’s space programme which allows the private sector to participate fully in Nigeria’s programme to create opportunities for jobs for Nigerians.”