Benue moves to harness space technology for development, partners NASRDA By Peter Duru, Makurdi The Benue State Government has taken a major step towards deploying advanced space and geospatial technologies to accelerate socio-economic development, following a high-level strategic engagement with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA). The meeting, convened by Governor Hyacinth Alia in Makurdi focused on leveraging satellite-based data, geospatial intelligence and space science to drive agriculture, infrastructure development, security and revenue generation in the state. Expressing optimism over the prospects of the partnership, Governor Alia assured that his administration would thoroughly explore strategic initiatives presented by NASRDA, including the establishment of an Agro-Processing Industrial Park, an Agro-Allied Airport and a Space Centre dedicated to precision agriculture. Describing the engagement as timely, the governor said the mandate and programmes of NASRDA align closely with his administration’s development agenda. “From inception, this administration has embraced efficiency, accountability and data-driven reforms as core priorities. These reforms have already yielded tangible results, including the elimination of ghost workers and ghost schools, which saved the state over ₦2.5 billion,” he said. While underscoring the opportunities offered by space and geospatial technologies, the governor formally requested NASRDA to establish a Space Centre in Benue State and carry out comprehensive satellite mapping of the entire state to support agriculture, land administration, infrastructure planning, security and internally generated revenue. He pledged the full support of the state government for the partnership and directed his Technical Support Team, led by Shirgba Karkaa, Solomon Yateghtegh and Zaki Asen, to immediately follow up on the discussions and work closely with NASRDA to ensure effective implementation of agreed programmes. Earlier, the Director-General of NASRDA, Dr. Matthew Adepoju, said the agency had continued to provide critical support to national development through applications of space science and geospatial intelligence. “NASRDA has been instrumental in areas such as national security, environmental monitoring, agriculture, education, infrastructure planning and economic development,” Adepoju stated. He explained that the agency offers solutions in precision agriculture and crop monitoring, geospatial mapping of schools and critical infrastructure, project monitoring and evaluation, land administration systems, revenue optimisation, as well as satellite-enabled security and surveillance. Dr. Adepoju also affirmed NASRDA’s readiness to collaborate with the Benue State Government towards establishing a Space Centre in partnership with the Benue State University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Ihugh. “Our goal is to ensure that Benue State emerges as a leading sub-national model for the application of advanced space science and geospatial intelligence in governance, economic planning and sustainable development,” he said.