ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA (April 27, 2004) – Yesterday, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) hosted a signing ceremony at the agency’s headquarters for engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contracts related to the implementation of a USTDA-supported fixed wireless service project in Rivers State, Nigeria.  The contracts follow the completion of two sequenced studies on the implementation of the project, both partially funded by USTDA through grants to Sirius Wireless Limited, a Nigerian subsidiary of ThirdWave Networks Holdings of Washington, D.C.

Mr. Danjuma Saleh, Director of Sirius Wireless, and Mr. Guy Campbell, President of the Microwave Communications Division of Harris Corporation, based in Melbourne, Florida, signed the contracts.  Sirius Wireless selected Harris Corporation as the technology and service provider for the project following the completion of USTDA-funded technical assistance.  This technical assistance focused on the preparation of detailed financial and investment projections and assisting Sirius Wireless in preparing and carrying out the EPC tender.  Representatives of USTDA, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and Tusk Financial, the consulting firm based in Washington, D.C. that conducted the USTDA-sponsored studies for Sirius Wireless, were present at the contracts signing ceremony.

The EPC contracts advance efforts to secure final financing for the project by setting firm commitments on price and technology, including schedule and performance guarantees, and secures a strong technical partner for the development of the project.  The contracts also provide for a phased approach to the project’s roll-out as recommended by the initial USTDA-sponsored feasibility study.  Phase I of the wireless project provides for a near-term entry strategy with a two-hub system catering to a concentrated number of subscribers.  Concurrent with the implementation of Phase I, financing will be secured for the roll-out of the entire project. 

Ms. Barbara Bradford, USTDA Deputy Director, who opened the signing ceremony, stated, “USTDA is very pleased to see its early project seed financing bearing fruit, especially in an area as important as telecommunications access in Nigeria.”  Since reopening its country program in Nigeria in 2000, USTDA has provided over $4.5 million in funding to various infrastructure, manufacturing, agribusiness, and healthcare projects in that country.   

Before the contract signing, Mr. Danjuma Saleh, stated, “By providing grants towards development of the Sirius Wireless Nigeria project, the support of USTDA shows the unwavering commitment of the U.S. Government to support improvement of the infrastructure base of Africa’s most populous nation.  This important support has positioned Sirius Wireless to deliver top quality, world class telecommunications services in a developing country like Nigeria.”  Mr. Charles Oshunremi, Chairman and CEO of Thirdwave Networks Holding also said, “This contract signing is the culmination of critical steps towards financing for this important project and the operationalization of Sirius Wireless.” 

“Harris is very pleased to be working with Sirius to build a broadband wireless network in Rivers State, Nigeria,” said Mr. Guy Campbell, President of Harris Microwave.  “The network will be of great value to the people of Nigeria, providing voice and data services to thousands of residential and business users in a hitherto underserved region.”

Harris Corporation is an international communications equipment company focused on providing project, system, and service solutions for commercial and government customers.  The company’s five operating divisions serve markets for microwave, broadcast, network support, secure tactical radio, and government communications systems. 

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries.  The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, feasibility studies, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment.  USTDA’s strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development.  In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.

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