Former NBA president advocates operative legislations for space programme

By NAN

Dr Olisa Agbakoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has called for operative legislations to support space programmes in the country.

Agbakoba made the call when he paid a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr Halilu Shaba, in Abuja.

He said that the 21st century space related activities were platforms for societal developments and that the future of mankind was space, hence the need for laws that would strengthen the agency and give it the necessary legal backing to actualise its constitutional mandate.

“There is need for a rejig of NASRDA’s space policy to include licensing of space objects as more people are beginning to show interest in space with some emerging and strategic developments,” he said.

He added that there was the need to reaffirm its clear roles and mandates for the avoidance of conflict between the agency and other players in the space industry.

He maintained that NASRDA, saddled with the responsibility to build and launch satellites must have the legal and necessary support to actualise the Nigeria space agenda for the overall benefits of the people.

According to him, the space industry is a potential source of revenue generation for the country especially in the area of Space Technology and Tourism.

Agbakoba appreciated efforts of NASRDA in synergising with both private and public organisations as well as relevant stakeholders in mapping out strategies towards ensuring proper implementation for the success of the Nigerian Space Programme.

In his remark, Shaba said that the Nigerian Space Policy which was currently being implemented by NASRDA required necessary review to allow for effective participation in the commercialisation of space programmes and activities for improved revenue generation.

Shaba, who emphasised the strategic role the agency plays in the socio-economic development of the country, said that NASRDA, by mandate was designed to build and launch satellites as well as regulate all space related activities in the country.

He said the agency would continue to bridge the gap, collaborate with relevant stakeholders and organisations who shared incisive vision, complimentary roles in the realisation of its goals and objectives. 

(NAN)