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The Rot in NASRDA :‘True Story from an insider’
Citizen Report Thur Dec 8,2011
A citizen report by someone who
claims to be an insider was emailed to us today.He claimed is
the ‘True
Story from an insider’.All he did was to, in an unsual style
, outline
his claims.
Interestingly , he wants readers to 'air their views'.Read his
story below:
SAVE THE NATIONAL SPACE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (NASRDA)
This piece of information is strictly for the unbiased mind and
readers are encouraged to discuss and air their views on the
subject matter.
For some time now the National Space Research and Development
Agency (NASRDA) has been on the spotlight.
a)
The Launch of two satellites Nigeriasat-2 and Nigeriasat-X on
August 17, 2011.
b)
The visit of his Excellency the President of the Nigerian
senate; Most Distinguished Senator David Mark on the 24th
of October 2011.
c)
The on-going romance between the Director General/ Chief
executive of NASRDA and the operatives of the Economics and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
d)
The brief radio interview of the DG/CE of NASRDA on the
political platform on RAYPOWER FM (last week).
e)
(More information to be presented next time)
We have been observing NASRDA with keen interest with respect to
the aforelisted issues a – e. We got curious and these are our
findings. These findings
can be verified by any willing person.
Let’s look at the issues one by one,
a)
The Launch of two satellites Nigeriasat-2 and Nigeriasat-X on
August 17, 2011.
Yes Nigeria did launch those two satellites, But the question
most Nigerian’s are asking are:
·
Of what economic importance will the satellites be to Nigeria
after spending a good chunk of task payers’ money to acquire
them?
ü
As usual the country will not benefit from these satellites just
like their predecessor Nigerisat-1 which has lasted over 8 years
of active operation in the orbit. The revenue that should accrue
to the country from these satellites rather find its way into
one or two individuals (Nigerians) pockets with the help of
their foreign cohorts. Compare this scenario to other countries
with similar satellites and you will be amazed at the revenues
they generate.
ü
Nigeriasat-1 never generated revenue for our country Nigeria and
Nigeriasat-2 and Nigeriasat-X will never if left to be managed
by NASRDA the way it is now. The leadership of NASRDA has
mortgaged the satellite to the builders (SSTL) to manage through
a (Disaster Monitoring Constellation International) DMCI portal
for the lucrative applications over rest of the world. The
little part of the business for Africa (African Resource
Monitoring Constellation) ARM as a continent can never be
handled effectively by NASRDA because the ground station was
designed and implemented to fail and is already failing. Compare
the NASRDA ground station (structures and equipment) to others
elsewhere.
ü
The Space Applications department of NASRDA doesn’t have a
single genuine image processing or other related software, all
they have are minor student copies, trial versions and some
pirated software. Without good and functional space application,
processing, archiving and distribution laboratories; Nigerians
should forget about reaping the benefits of these satellites.
ü
We pity the engineers who built Nigeriasat-X (made by Nigerians
at SSTL in the UK) because they will decay and rot with
inactivity and neglect. No facilities, no tools, not even
internet, no laptops, no desktops. In fact some of the engineers
don’t even have chairs to sit on.
ü
Details later.
b)
The visit of his Excellency the President of the Nigerian
senate; Most Distinguished Senator David Mark on the 24th
of October 2011.
ü
He came, He saw and Wept for the Nigerian Space Agency.
ü
He would have wept more if he had ventured to look at the
qualification of the members of staff of NASRDA as he would be
shocked at the level of rotten and fake certificates that are
flying there. Very Confirmable.
ü
As a gentleman he promised to work towards providing money for
the space programme. But we should not forget that it has been
proven that any Chief Executive that mismanaged small funds will
grossly mismanage big funds. Just figure it out.
ü
In fact after this visit the DG/CE of NASRDA sent $20,000 (money
for fuel) to the Senate President which the Senate President
rejected. But he (the DG/CE of NASRDA) didn’t give us any
transport/fuel money for our visit.
ü
Details later.
c)
The on-going romance between the Director General/ Chief
executive of NASRDA and the operatives of the Economics and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
ü
We would not like to comment much on this so as not to interfere
with the investigation of the Commission.
ü
The DG/CE of NASRDA had called two general staff meetings in
which he warned his management and staff to desist from writing
petitions against him and giving information to EFCC and the
press about his actions, inactions, the cash and properties he
had acquired within the short time that has been DG/CE of
NASRDA.
ü
We believe that the Commission is well equipped to expose these
things and prosecute him so as to serve as deterrent
toothers. Except if the
Commission has accepted the 10 million naira he sent to them as
“settlement” instead of as “exhibit” for prosecution. Although
we learnt that only 8 million naira got to the Commission
because the courier/messenger used 2 million naira as
transport/fuel money.
ü
Details later.
d)
The brief radio interview of the DG/CE of NASRDA on the
political platform on RAYPOWER FM (last week).
ü
Those of us that tuned in and listened to that programme have
passed a verdict of GUILTY AS CHARGED on him. Yes because he has
put the NASRDA on reverse course and made her to be retarding
instead of growing. Compare and contrast where NASRDA is today
to where it was when he
took charge of office as DG/CE.
ü
In fact the grammatical errors he committed during the programme
raised concern on his academic qualification. We suggest that
the authenticity of his PhD (Doctorate) be investigated
properly.
ü
Details later.
f)
(More information to be presented next time)
ü
We have to go now but while you wait for us to come back soon
(we shall surely do Insha Allahu) just try answering the
following questions.
1.
How many functional space agencies are there across the globe?
2.
How old are they?
3.
What qualifications do their Chief Executives possess?
4.
What are their budgetary provisions like and from what source?
ü
Then compare your findings to what is obtained at NASRDA the
Nigeria’s Space Agency.
Th
This is the document referred to in the Witness
Statement on Oath of Clifford O. Kokogho as
“Exhibit
COK.2”
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