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A simple description of this phenomenon would perhaps be the application of remote sensing 
systems for the exploration of innumerable natural resources including but not limited to agricul- 
tural and forestry products, fisheries, hydrological and geographical surveys and the ability to 
make out mappings of landscapes — both civil and military with a view to identifying the resour- 
ces that lie beneath the earth and ocean. 
At this juncture, we would like to emphasize that the use of remote sensing techniques is 
only a minute aspect of the general application of scientific methods in the tapping of the earth's 
resources. Secondly, it is an aspect in which private sector involvement has proved very successful 
within the frame-work of laid down government policies. Basically, the method employed invol- 
ves the provision and analysis of information received from different types of satellites which or- 
bit the Earth. Laboratories are built on the ground with full facilities to acquire and interprete 
photographic images beamed from these satellites. The imagery may be submitted as photographs 
or electronic data on a magnetic computer tape where-upon Computer Systems fitted with video 
scanners, graphic digitizers from solid-state memory to programmable memory, from high-speed 
hardware functions to easily manipulated soft ware functions etc. interprete and analyse informa- 
tions received. This way, information on vegetation, clouds, hydrological mappings or military 
intelligence etc. can be obtained and analysed. 
The use to which remote sensing techniques have been put are so vast that in a technologi- 
cally orientated society the acquisition of the necessary technology is a goal which must be 
attained. Phenomena like storm and hurricane warning, flood and flood-plain mapping, river basin 
snow studies, soil moisture monitoring, water quality and temperature studies, early warning of 
changes affecting agricultural production, quality of commodities and renewable resources, fore- 
casts of commodity production, classification and measurement of land use, estimates of land 
productivity, assessment of conservation practices, wild life management, population census, 
tourism, defence applicatione atc, are only but few of the incalculable benefits derivable from the 
use of remote sensing techniques. Infact we note with pleasure that one of the publications of the 
Nigerian Council for Science and Technology titled ‘‘National Policies and Priorities for Research 
in Science and Technology" published in December 1975, the use of remote sensing technique 
in discovering the resources of the Earth was mentioned as one of the priority considerations for 
the overall attainment cf a highly scientific and technological society. 
We do not wish to use this forum as a means of laying down every single suggestion as to the 
integration of private sector and Government co-operation in attaining results in this direction. 
Our suggestion is that, this initiative has come from Government, it should be followed up by a 
permanent structure by which work on a continuous basis can be done between the private and 
public sectors to realise our goals, and to strengthen our leadership in defence and external 
affairs, also our role in the O. A.U. and E.C. O.W.A.S. here in the Continent of Africa. 
In fact as we present this paper.we are fully aware that countries like the U.S.A., USSR and 
recently, France have launched Satellites into space from which they continuously obtain data 
which are analysed and utilized. Little wonder that a country as vast as the U.S.A. finds it very 
very easy to feed and defend its massive population. Countries like India, South Africa, China, 
Saudt Arabia, Argentina, Brazil etc. are vigorously engaged in similar programmes either by them- 
selves or in partnership with the private sectors in exploiting the opportunities provided by the 
use of these techniques. In this regard, Kenya needs special mention. It was reported recently 
that the Kenyan mining industry has, experienced a welcome boom in its operations. From figures 
publshed on this subject, it has been shown that mineral production has increased from about 
K$2 million in 1963 to about K £16 million in1980 The reason for this increase was attributed 
to the discovery of new mineral deposits especially flourspar and gem-stones and the expansion 
of existing ones. What is interesting in the report is the fact that mineral exploration programmes 
FRET QE ma rn EE 
    
   
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
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