Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has renewed calls for increased funding to tackle the deteriorating state of its navigational facilities at airports and stations across the country.

It warned that inadequate finances could undermine the safety and efficiency of the nation’s airspace.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos yesterday, the President of the National Association of Air Traffic Engineers (NAAE), Selzing Miri, revealed that many of the agency’s critical navigational aids, which ensure safe aircraft movement from take-off to landing, were overdue for replacement.

He maintained that the facilities had outlived their optimal lifespan amid rising operational costs and reduced revenue inflows.

Miri, however, noted that despite these challenges, NAMA had continued to guarantee seamless navigation for both domestic and international airlines operating within Nigerian airspace, ascribing this to the technical ingenuity and commitment of its professionals.

According to the expert, poor funding remained the biggest threat to aviation safety, noting that NAMA does not receive direct budgetary allocation from the Federal Government.

He said: “We have made it clear that without enough funding, NAMA will not be able to sustain the level of safety being enjoyed in the aviation industry. Most of these facilities are critical to ensuring the safety of flight movements.”

Miri added that continuous upgrades, maintenance and staff training were non-negotiable if Nigeria must retain a safe and secure airspace.

Besides, the union leader faulted the continuous operation of navigational charges that had remained unchanged for over 18 years, despite major changes in economic conditions.

Data provided by Miri indicated that En-route Navigational Charges (ENC) and Terminal Navigational Charges (TNC), which form the bulk of NAMA’s revenue, had been static since 2008.

Also, President of the Nigerian Airspace Controllers’ Association of Nigeria (NACAN), Mohammed Sani, said the agency urgently needed more funds to maintain infrastructure, train personnel and pay salaries.

He stated that an upward review of navigational charges was the most realistic way for NAMA to meet its safety obligations.

Financial records obtained by the media indicated that NAMA spent over N21 billion on personnel costs in 2023, over N12 billion in capital expenditure and another N10 billion in overhead costs within the same year.

Sani declared that the agency’s push for increased funding and revised charges aligned with global aviation practices and was necessary to prevent further deterioration of navigational infrastructure.

He called on the Federal Government to intervene urgently by reviewing revenue deductions and supporting the agency’s efforts to modernise its facilities.

Also, President of Aeronautical Information Management Association of Nigeria (AISAN), Dr Ibrahim Audu, said the issue of collecting the same navigational charges for 18 years did not align with modern and sophisticated equipment that is being installed by NAMA.

Audu noted that as a provider, NAMA could not continue to render the same services for 18 years without an upward review, stressing that the agency should regularly acquire and upgrade its facilities.