Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) has dismissed reports saying a Chinese aerospace company threatened to shut down Nigeria’s communications satellite over an alleged $11.4 million debt.
Recent media reports claimed that China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) had issued a warning to suspend operational support services for Nigeria’s NigComSat-1R satellite if an outstanding payment of $11.44 million was not settled within 30 days.
However, NigComSat said the claim is inaccurate and misleading.
Stephen Kwande, head of corporate communications at NIGCOMSAT told BusinessDay that the agency had contacted its Chinese partners directly and was informed that they were not responsible for circulating the information.
“It is unclear where this misleading information is coming from,” Kwande said. “We have been in touch with our business partners, the executives and representatives of CGWIC in Nigeria, and they have made it clear they are not the ones giving out such information.”
According to him, the Chinese firm also expressed concern about the spread of what it described as inaccurate reports regarding the partnership.
“Our relationship with our business partners CGWIC is not in any crisis as reported, and we continue to remain strong in our business relationship and partnership,” Kwande said.
He added that both parties recently held discussions to reaffirm their collaboration.
“During our meeting on Wednesday, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining a constructive working relationship,” he said.
Kwande also rejected the claim that NIGCOMSAT owes the Chinese contractor the reported amount.
“We don’t owe that kind of money. We are business partners; they render services and they get paid,” he said. “It is good to note that the Chinese are our good business partners, and we respect that relationship.”
An official familiar with the situation also said the company was unaware of the source of the reports.
“I am not aware of who is pushing this information because the whole pipeline now is to launch two new satellites, which the President has already approved,” the person said.
The official noted that NIGCOMSAT recently met with the vendor involved in the satellite operations.
“I just had a meeting with my vendor recently and the vendor told me they are not the one pushing this information. So, I am not aware of who is trending it,” the official stated.
Nigeria’s communications satellite, NigComSat-1R, launched in 2011, supports services including television broadcasting, internet connectivity, and secure communications used by government agencies and private operators.
NIGCOMSAT maintains that its partnership with the Chinese aerospace firm remains intact and that there is no imminent risk of disruption to Nigeria’s satellite services.
(Sourced from BusinessDay)
