‘Neglect of Nigerian Satellites Partly Responsible for Recession of Lake Chad’

The neglect of Nigerian satellite imageries developed by the National Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA) by ministries and agencies of government has been partly attributed for the recession faced by Lake Chad.

THISDAY learnt that apathy and inter-agency rivalries between the authority and ministries responsible for the development of the basin with the right satellite data has led to the deplorable state of the basin.

Speaking at a reception, organised by NASRDA in Abuja, weekend, for its Head of Media and Communications, Mr. Felix Ale; former Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice, Director General of the National Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA), Prof. Seidu Onailo Mohammed; Director Centre for Space Technology Development (CSTD), Dr. Spencer Onu, and the Director, Strategic Space Applications, Dr. Halidu Shaba, averred that the ministries and agencies of government do not patronise research and programmes developed by it for the country’s development.

Boroffice, while reacting to President Muhammadu Buhari’s comment of the deplorable state of the lake Chad said: “When I read the President’s comment on the recession of Lake Chad, my mind went to what NASRDA has done using satellite imageries and the problems that region is facing because of the economic life that has been affected as a result of the saltation and drying up of the lake.

“For instance, the space agency has a role to play on the ban on importation of rice by 2017. We have done work on Fadama maps across the country. People who tend to take to rice cultivation will benefit from that information. Unfortunately when government was setting up the committee on Fadama project, NASRDA was not included.” he said.

The DG acknowledged that science is the bedrock through which other sectors of the economy can thrive. He said Nigeria would remain where it is, unless it focuses on the development of science and innovation “Now the revenue from oil is dwindling, we have to diversify our economy we have to innovate in our manufacturing industry so that manufacturing can begin to contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” the lawmaker said.