Ministry of Communications Technology, the ministry supervising Nigeria Communications Satellite Limited, (NigComSat) at the weekend said it was not aware of any bill seeking to grant NigComSat autonomy.

The ministry said that its first intention was to privatize Nigeria Communications Satellite Limited for better performance.

The ministry was reacting to against the backdrop of the clamor for autonomy by the Company through NigComSat Corporation bill that seeks to free the company from government control.

Mr. Ola Ogunleye, special assistant on Information Technology to Minister of Communications Technology, told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek that the ministry is only interested in making NigComSat play its role in making internet truly ubiquitous, affordable and accessible in the country.

It would be recalled that NigComSat’s bill to make the state satellite operator an independent corporation has stirred mixed reactions with huge opposition.

Critics urged the national assembly to exercise caution to prevent the company from going the the way of Nitel.

But Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai, chief executive officer of the company said that the bill will allow NigComSat to raise additional financing and pursue strategic partnerships.

Nodding in agreement, Victor Nwakesi , representative of Olisa Agbakoba & Associates, the law firm responsible for the drafting of the NigComSat bill, explained that the bill is much desired and that passage will aid Nigeria’s emerging development issue.

According to him, the contents of the NigComSat bill have been developed to align with what the laws allow.  “NigComsat should be protected in the best interest of the citizens,” he said.

Support has also come from Yele Okeremi , member, Executive Committee of Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (Ispon) who said that: “We must perceive satellite communication as critical national infrastructure which requires everything to protect including legislation and we must sit down to see that we do everything to see that this bill become a law.”

He listed technology, social perception and legislation as the tripod that must be present before a revolution can happen.

Bayo Banjo, president, Nigeria Internet Group, however argued that the bill will transform NigComSat to a fully-owned government company.

“I do not see a reason for this bill because the company is already a limited liability. The bill is not in the interest of Nigeria. It will not serve the purpose of Nigerians.” Banjo noted.

He submitted that rather than having the NigComSat bill passed, it should be jettisoned with the best option to have it privatised.

Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, chairman Teledom Group cautioned that the bill, when passed, might give NigComSat the autonomy to operate as a business venture and as a regulator.

He noted that government has no business in doing business, but to create enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

Eng. Lanre Ajayi, president, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria and chairman of the occasion, noted that there was a need to guide the Senate, as citizens, to let them know the need for Satellite Company to be able to run businesses on its own with less government bureaucracy.

Ajayi noted that satellite technology is a very desirable technology in Nigeria, noting however, that this was not to say that other terrestrial technologies are not very relevant but they are complementary.

“The major advantage of satellite is its ubiquity. In a country like ours, where we have many rural communities, satellite becomes an option. If we must progress, we cannot run away from developing satellite technology and government must support this.” Ajayi

He, however, expressed the view that NigComSat might go the way of Nigerian Telecommunications Limited, “because with the Act, it appears we are now putting it in the hands of the law makers.”