Venezuela seeks Nigeria support on launching of Satellite

Venezuala Republic yesterday requested for full support of Nigeria on its on-going Satellite project scheduled to be launched next year in China.

The Country’s Minister of Informatics and, Power and Telecommunications Mr Jesse Chacon made the request during a bilateral meeting he held with his Nigerian Counterpart, Mr John Odey in Geneva.

The request of the Venezualan delegation came just as more Nigerians were yesterday elected to head various groups of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

According to Mr Chacon, Venezuela had almost completed the construction work on the over 200 Million dollars Communications Satellite project , which started in 2005.

He stated however that the country would experience some delay in the scheduled launching date of November this year hence the country’s need for Nigeria support in getting an extension of date.

A change of date in the launching of a satellite by another country requires the permission of the ITU management in taking another date.

Venezuela signed an agreement with China in 2005 for the building of the satellite to known as Simon Boliva, which is to also deliver services to Uruguay.

Nigeria was elected as the Chair of the Sub-Committee responsible for the choice of date of Satellite launches at the ongoing World Radio Conference in Geneva.

Meeting with Nigerian Minister, the Venezuela head of delegation to the Conference revealed that the country’s satellite was meant strictly for public, non-commercial services.

Responding, Nigerian head of delegation, Mr Odey pointed out that Nigeria would cooperate with Venezuela on how to improve the standard of living of the people.

He however added that if the Venezuela satellite was designed for military purposes, Nigeria would need further profile on the satellite from Venezuela.

Mr Odey pointed out that the objective of the Nigerian Communication satellite launched early this year was basically to open up access to telecommunications services by all parts of Nigeria.

Those who accompanied the Minister to the meeting are Mr Otaki Oyegbenu, Permanent Secretary, Nigerian Ministry of Information and Communications, Engineer Abayomi Bolarinwa, DG of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, Engineer Ernest Ndukwe, Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission, Mr Festus Daudu , Mr Ayoola Oke and Mr Onimisi Baiye.

Meanwhile, more Nigerian Engineers were yesterday elected into the leadership of four strategic groups at the World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC)

They are Engineers Festus Daudu, Thomas Alege, Abayomi Bolarinwa and Onimise Baiye who are to lead Radiowave, Satelite Services, Terrestrial Services and Broadcasting Services respectively.