•FG suspends NiGComSat privatisation, tasks mgt on commitment
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the building of another satellite for Nigeria.

Consequently, some N2.5 billion has been allocated for the NigComSat 2 project in this year’s budget.

Also, the Federal Government has suspended plans to privatise NigComSat, saying the move is for the good of the country and the staff of the company.

Besides, the President equally okayed N25 billion for the upgrade of National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) infrastructure, though no money has been released since 2020 till date.

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, who disclosed this when he paid a working visit to NigComSat, yesterday, in Abuja, said he had lobbied his Finance counterpart, Zainab Ahmed, to capture the new satellite in the 2022 federal budget.

He added that the challenge of reviving company “is not just a necessity, but an obligation for all the staff and management.”

Pantami said 2022 presents a veritable year for the management to turn the fortunes of the government-owned company around, adding: “If they fail to do that, it will be the worst year for you. I don’t pray for that.”

I pray for the best for you, but you must get your priority right.”

He said went on: “You need to change your perception because you are not part of core civil servants. You are a company, and should by far, be above civil servants. One of the reasons our civil service has been failing is that feeling that we are government employees, we have nothing to lose, and whatever happens, we will be paid our salaries. There are other companies that are ready to come up and start providing similar services with you.

“The efforts made to stop the privatisation of NIGCOMSAT is for the good of the company and the country. You need to turn things around through the unique and effective service you are able to provide and revenue you generate for government. It is a difficult task to revive an institution and make it very successful.”