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NIGCOMSAT, 2 partners, launch satellite technology to accelerate African aviation — Official
The Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd (NIGCOMSAT), in collaboration with its partners have launched NigComSat-1R, the first Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) signal over Africa and the Indian Ocean that would help accelerate African aviation.
NIGCOMSAT Ltd, along with Thales Alenia and ASECNA, the other partners, first started the broadcast of a SBAS signals over Africa and the Indian Ocean in September 2020, and they conducted five demos at Lome International airport for the first launch of the SBAS.
A statement by General Manager, Corporate Affairs Department of NIGCOMSAT Ltd, Mr Adamu Idris, issued in Abuja, quoted SBAS Manager, Mr Lasisi Lawal, as saying that the goal was to showcase the real configuration of the efficiency of the technology, developed in the frame of the early open service as part of the ‘SBAS for Africa and Indian Ocean’.
He said the program was to pursue the autonomous provision over the continent, of SBAS services to augment the performance of the satellite navigation constellations GPS and Galileo.
These tests were carried out by the ASECNA calibration aircraft (ATR42-300), which had been equipped for the occasion by Pildo Labs, with specific sensors and embarked on by VIPs and Pilots from ASKY, the Pan African airline based in Togo, Air Cote D’ Ivoire in five rotations over Lome airport.
Lawal also said that the aim of the experiment was to demonstrate the ability of the system to allow landing on the two ends of the runway without deployment of local infrastructure with a performance level to the use of Instrument Landing System (ILS).
He said it also demonstrated the benefits of the future operational safety, efficiency and environmental protection.
Lawal said the outcome of the demonstrations was a crucial step towards the provision and use of satellite navigation services in the Africa and Indian Ocean region.
“The demos would also be debriefed during the international outreach event on SBAS in aviation in Africa, which brings together airlines, aircraft manufacturers and other aviation stakeholders, from all over the world, precisely at the end of the month.
The Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer, NIGCOMSAT Ltd, Abimbola Alale, said he was proud to support the SBAS for Africa and Indian Ocean Open Service for Africa as well as contributing to the success of these inflight demos, using our geostationary communication satellite, NigComSat-1R navigation payload.
“The achievement is in line with the policy directions of the Hon Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, for value propensity not only in the communications sector, but other sectors like maritime, rail, transport, precision, agriculture, survey, oil and gas, and mass market applications, for sustainable development beyond Nigeria’s shores”.
The Vice President, Navigation business, at Thales Alenia Space, Benoit Broudy, said the longstanding expertise acquired with the development of EGNOS’ SBAS in Europe, and KASS SBAS in Korea, combined with new leading-edge satellite positioning technologies makes Thales Alenia Space, the ideal partner to best support countries to implement their own SBAS efficiently.
“We hope these series of demos will help to accelerate SBAS adoption in aviation in Africa”.
The Director-General of ASECNA, Mohamed Moussa, said: “I am proud to have demonstrated the utility and efficiency of the SBAS services in the continent”, adding that the event would bolster the deployment of the “SBAS for Africa and Indian Ocean” system, as the navigation solution for Africa by Africa.
Moussa said it also would enhance air navigation safety and efficiency for the benefit of the whole continent, in line with his vision for the unification of the African Sky.
It was reported that SBAS is a civil aviation safety-critical system that supports wide-area, even continental scale positioning through the use of geostationary (GEO) satellites which broadcast the augmentation information.
Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd., operators of Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal II (MMA2), Ikeja, says there is no ticket racketeering at the terminal.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mrs Ajoke Yinka-Olawuyi, Head of Corporate Communications of the company, on Tuesday in Lagos.
Yinka-Olawuyi also described as unfounded, an allegation that unpatriotic Nigerian were using private Point of Sale (POS) machines within the terminal to carry out fraudulent payments.
She said that the company was commitment to maintaining a secure, transparent and efficient airport environment.
There is an allegation that ticket racketeering is rampant at MMA2, with one-way ticket cost being inflated to as high as N250,000 by some staff of airlines and others.
The official said that internal monitoring systems of the company did not detect any hoarding of tickets or any collusion between airline staff and touts to inflate ticket prices.
“At MMA2, all ticket transactions are conducted at the airlines’ sales booths, using their official means of payment.
“To combat any form of touting or illegal activities, MMA2 collaborates closely with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Aviation Security (AVSEC), and other relevant authorities.
“Recently, FAAN established a joint task force specifically aimed at addressing touting activities across all Nigerian airports,” Yinka-Olawuyi noted.
According to her, anyone found engaging in illegal activities will face the full wrath of the law.
She said that the company’s commitment to passenger safety was unwavering, urging that passengers to feel free to lodge complaints.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has said that Nigerians spends N16.5 trillion annually on fuel and the servicing of generators.
Adelabu made this known on Tuesday at the ongoing NOG Energy Week in Abuja.
The minister attributed his assertion to research in 2023. However, he did not give the exact details but rather compared the figure to the 225 per cent electricity tariff hike of April 3, 2024.
“What Nigerians spend on self-generation of power—on fueling and servicing their generators—is N16.5 trillion, according to research that was carried out in 2023. Looking at this, you will see that what Band A customers pay is still cheaper compared to this, despite having 24-hour uninterrupted supply,” he said.
He further declared that “over $1 billion in investments have been placed into renewable energy sources by foreign lenders and institutions,” adding that his ministry, under the guide and support of President Tinubu, is making giant strides in energy and gas developments.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Hajiya Salamatu Ahmed as the new Executive Secretary of the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board (FGSHLB).
Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
In the statement made available to newsmen by Muhammed Ahmed, Director, Communications, HOCSF office, Yemi-Esan also handed over appointment letter to the new Executive Secretary.
She said Ahmed’s appointment was sequel to terminal leave embarked upon by the former Executive Secretary, Alhaji Ibrahim Mairiga, ahead of the expiration of his four-year tenure in September.
While congratulating the new appointee, the HOCSF charged her to leverage on the wealth of experience garnered over the years, towards ensuring the full realisation of the Board’s core mandate.
Before her new appointment, Hajiya Ahmed was the Board’s Director of Operations of the FGSHLB.
Bi-Courtney debunks ticket racketeering allegation at MMA2
Nigerians spend over N16.5trn annually on fuel, servicing generator – Adelabu
