Nigeria loses over 1trillion to illegal operation of space objects — Agbakoba

By Ibiyemi Mathew

Former President of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Dr Olisa Agbakoba has disclosed in a research conducted by Olisa Agbakoba legal (OAL) that Nigeria is losing over 1 trillion naira to illegal operators of space objects.

In an open letter addressed to the  Minister of Science and Technology, Sen. Adeleke Mamora and   Director-General/Chief Executive,National Space Research, Dr. Halilu Ahmad Shaba, and Development Agency, Agbakoba said, “The Federal Government is pressed for revenue and needs new streams of income to meet all obligations. To support the government’s efforts to generate revenue, the National Space Council issued Regulations on Licensing and Supervision of Space Activities, 2015 approved by President Buhari.

“The regulation establishes a licensing regime that requires corporations managing and controlling space objects (which includes satellites, space crafts, and launch vehicles) to be licensed and registered with the National Space Research and Development Agency of Nigeria (NASRDA).

“Regrettably, most corporations operating space objects in Nigeria have failed to comply and operate illegally. Our findings established that Nigeria is losing over N1 trillion from illegal operation of these corporations.

“We are compiling a list of these corporations which we intend to share with your Ministry, NASRDA, and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation. It is important that these corporations comply with extant regulations, failing which after 14 days we will initiate legal proceedings for them to comply,” he concluded.

As to what can be done to curb losses and ensure a better regulatory regime, Agbakoba recommended the implementation of the Regulations on Licensing and Supervision of Space Activities, 2015.

“The regulation is an improvement/add-on to the extant National Space Research and Development Act 2010. It empowers the National Space Research and Development Agency of Nigeria (NASRDA) to regulate space activities. Space activities under the regulation include “space objects (e.g. satellites, space crafts, launch vehicles including operators and manufacturers of space object(s).  It also empowers NASRDA to grant licenses for space activities.”

“OAL is currently working with NASRDA to ensure the effective implementation of the regulation,” he said.