By Seun Adams
- Shaba: Project is effective technology for monitoring geodynamics phenomena
The Director General, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Halilu Shaba, has stated that the Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) project is primarily aimed at monitoring Geodynamics phenomena in Nigeria and the Sub-saharan Africa such as earthquake, volcanic eruptions among others.
He made this statement when he played host to a team of scientists from the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, China (SHAO) at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to him, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in 2017 had mandated the agency to intensify efforts towards curtailing seismic activities within the country by ensuring that relevant data on natural disasters are made available to policy makers for effective implementation.
He stated further that the Nigerian Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu is committed towards ensuring a safe haven for its citizens especially during natural disasters hence, the need for the establishment of VLBI which will guarantee effective monitoring and the provision of relevant data to mitigate its effects.
The NASRDA boss who described the visit as timely especially at a time when the country is in need of accurate space related data for effective policy formulation and implementation, stated further that the choice of Toro in Bauchi state as the candidate site was because of its strategic location in the global map for carrying out such purposes.
Dr Shaba who commended the efforts and contributions of SHAO further pledged the Agency’s support in all procedural ramifications for the success of the project which according to him, will go a long way in projecting Nigeria by giving her its rightful position among committee of nations.
He urged the team of experts to consider capacity building especially for indigenous engineers and scientists as an integral part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), so as to create a long-lasting legacy.
He also charged the members of the MOU implementation committee on the need to commence work so as to guarantee the speedy completion of the project for Nigerians to enjoy its benefits.
In his presentation, the Acting Director, Centre for Geodesy and Geodynamics (CGG) Toro, Dr. Joseph Dodo said the idea of establishing the VLBI is very strategic because of its capacity to carry out earth observation research and ensure proper monitoring of translation and rotation of the African Pole.
According to him, the project will be contributing to the global network of Space Geodetic Systems for understanding of the global reference frame and the earth tectonic.
Dr Dodo who gave a background of the CGG, its activities and possible areas of collaboration with SHAO further stated that the VLBI has the capability of tracking satellites and other space missions.
While making his presentation, the leader of the visiting team, Professor Jingling Li gave an overview of the activities of the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory which according to him is under the auspice of the Chinese Academy of Science.
Prof. Li who expressed his willingness working with NASRDA through the CGG stated further that the materials for the execution of the project were assembled in China waiting for shipment to Nigeria within the shortest possible time frame.
He promised that the project will be executed in good time so that Nigerians can have access to real time data that will aid in effective planning, monitoring and implementation of people-oriented policies and programmes.
