NIGCOMSAT Rejects Alleged Irregularities in Satellite Procurement

The Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) has rejected allegations of irregularities in the procurement of the NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B satellite programme.

In a statement signed by its management on Friday, the company said the procurement process was conducted competitively and transparently in line with the Public Procurement Act and guidelines of the Bureau of Public Procurement.

NIGCOMSAT said all bidders were assessed using predetermined criteria covering technical responsiveness, financial compliance, delivery capability, project risk, security considerations and long-term value to the Federal Government.

The company said the outcome was based on a comprehensive assessment of competing bids and not performance in any single area.

It also rejected suggestions that the non-selection of a bidder constituted evidence of wrongdoing, stressing that participation in a competitive procurement process did not guarantee selection.

NIGCOMSAT also dismissed concerns over the selection of Hughes Network Systems’ JUPITER platform for the programme, saying references to Chapter 11 proceedings involving Hughes Satellite Systems did not establish any link with Hughes Network Systems’ technical capacity or ability to deliver the required ground infrastructure.

The company said its management inherited a salary structure that had not been reviewed for 17 years and had initiated a review through the required government approval processes. It added that outstanding obligations relating to official assignments were also being addressed.

NIGCOMSAT accused unnamed vested interests and lobbyists of attempting to use media reports to pressure the organisation over the procurement process.

The company said its Legal Department was reviewing the publication that prompted its response and warned that appropriate legal action would be taken over what it described as defamatory claims.

NIGCOMSAT maintained that the satellite programme remained important to Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, national security and socio-economic development, saying the satellites would strengthen communications resilience, expand broadband coverage and improve connectivity in underserved communities.

It reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the programme with appropriate technical, financial, legal and project-continuity safeguards.