Nigeria and China have signed a contract for a new communications satellite that will replace one sidelined by a power failure, a newspaper reported Wednesday.

According to the contract signed in Beijing on Tuesday, the replacement satellite has been named NIGCOMSAT-1R and is due to be launched by 2011 with no cost to Nigeria, the Lagos-based Guardian reported.

The new space vehicle will replace NIGCOMSAT-1, which was launched on May 14, 2007, but was displaced on Nov. 10, 2008, because of a solar power failure that occurred on one edge of the satellite.

The contract underscores the relationship that has existed between China and Nigeria, which has been further strengthened by the agreement to replace the satellite at no cost to Nigeria, said Nigerian Minister of Science and Technology Zaku.

Zaku expressed Nigeria's gratitude to China for the satellite on behalf of President Umaru Musa Yar' Adua.

The minister said the satellite was of great importance to Nigeria because it was supposed to lead to economic emancipation, bridge the digital divide and lower communications costs in the country.

(Xinhua News Agency March 26, 2009)