NASRDA Boss Flags Off Nigeria’s Geodetic VLBI Project

The Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr Mathew Adepoju, on Thursday performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the Geodetic Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) project at the Center for Geodesy and Geodynamics (CGG), Toro, in Bauchi state.

The multi-million-dollar project is primarily aimed at deep space science, which includes satellite tracking, space missions, determination of earth orientation parameters, national defence, and monitoring of geodynamic phenomena such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, among others, in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Adepoju explained that the project was one of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s milestone projects in science and technology.

The NASRDA boss, in a statement by Media and Corporate Communication Unit CGG, Toro, Bernard Ndambe, described the project as a major effort at mitigating the adverse effects of natural hazards on the entire citizenry of Nigeria and safeguarding their property.

“I am particularly excited that it is during my tenure as the Director-General/Chief Executive of NASRDA that we are witnessing this epoch-making event,” Adepoju said.

He said the project’s location was chosen because it is sited on a solid geological bedrock (Older Granites) that can serve as an immobile belt on which the Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) can be situated.

The DG expressed the Government and people of Nigeria’s appreciation to the Government of the People’s Republic of China through its partner, the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, for funding the project.

He said, “This project is a result of the collaboration between the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory (SHAO), China. “This gesture by the Chinese government will strengthen the cordial relationship between our countries.

Adepoju praised the Director of CGG, Dr Joseph Danasebe Dodo, for his efforts and resilience in initiating the project and the Centre for Geodesy and Geodynamics staff for realising this dream conceived many years ago.

Speaking at the event, Dodo expressed joy at the realisation of the VLBI project while noting with gratitude the resilience and solidarity of the NASRDA boss in ensuring that the project comes to fruition.

The Project Manager of the Chinese International Telecommunication Construction Company (CITCC), Wu Jiyong, appreciated the company’s opportunity to execute the project while assuring the agency of a thorough job.

Dignitaries present at the epoch-making occasion include agency Directors, traditional rulers and Chiefs from Lame, Jama’a, and Toro communities, politicians, staff members, and host community members.