Get Guardian on Google…As Keyamo seeks dialogue with NATCA
The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) has threatened to withdraw its services over the alleged persistent failure of the Federal government to address deficiencies in the country’s airspace communication and surveillance infrastructure.
The association specifically lamented that the absence of improvements in critical air traffic management equipment especially communication, despite repeated engagements with relevant authorities and announced procurement approvals, was frustrating its performance to discharge its duties as appropriately.
But, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, asked the association and its members to embrace sustained dialogue over the concerns, saying that the Federal government through the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP), had approved acquisition of some equipment for air traffic controllers.
Speaking yesterday during his welcome address at the 55th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of NATCA with the theme: ‘Beyond Silos To Synergy: Shaping the Future of Nigerian Air Traffic Management,’ in Lagos, the President of NATCA, Amos Edino, warned that the association may be forced to consider withdrawing its services if the government failed to present a clear strategic plan for the comprehensive overhaul of the infrastructure.
Edino regretted that the association had over the years raised concerns about the condition of communication and surveillance facilities across the country without receiving the desired response.
He said: “Despite the considerable challenges faced by air traffic controllers across the length and breadth of the country, there has been no significant improvement in our communication and surveillance infrastructure.
“We acknowledge the approvals and procurement milestones that have been announced. However, these have yet to translate into a material improvement in the equipment available to controllers at the console.
“It is with a deep sense of responsibility that I state that this frustrating engagement is pushing the association towards considering the withdrawal of our services, should there be no clear strategic plan for the total overhaul of communication and surveillance infrastructure in Nigeria.”
According to him, NATCA had sought high-level intervention from Keyamo, the National Counter Terrorism Centre, the Office of the National Security Adviser and the management of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), all to no avail.
He added that NATCA had also submitted a memorandum to the National Assembly on aviation funding reforms, stressing that safety-critical infrastructure required predictable and ring-fenced funding.
Edino mentioned communication and surveillance facilities as critical components of air traffic management, insisting that their deficiencies could negatively impact flight safety, operational efficiency and national security.
He cited instances of frequency failures, disruptions caused by harmattan conditions at airports in Kano and Abuja and surveillance gaps along the Lagos-Abuja corridor as some of the operational challenges confronting air traffic controllers in the country.
He maintained that adequate investment in the infrastructure would improve airspace safety, reduce economic losses and improve airline profitability, attract more international carriers and increase government revenue.
In his speech, Keyamo appealed to NATCA and its members to embrace dialogue without disrupting the services to the public.
Keyamo who was represented at the occasion by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mahmud Kambari, however, described the union’s position as a call for attention, rather than a threat
He assured of the Federal government’s willingness to address the issues through constructive engagement.
According to Keyamo, the government had already dispatched a letter to BPP for the procurement of new equipment for NAMA.
He declared that the equipment would be received very soon by the country from the manufacturers.
Besides, he explained that work had commenced on a new headquarters for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) in Abuja, alongside an air traffic management centre.
According to him, the proposed facility would bring the agency’s various air traffic control centres under one roof, improving coordination, operational efficiency and airspace management.
He said: Ongoing efforts to strengthen aviation infrastructure will improve service delivery in the country’s airspace.”
He insisted that this was unacceptable, noting that the affected personnel handle complex air traffic operations and also contribute to training younger controllers.
He also expressed concern over the alleged stagnation of experienced air traffic controllers in the last 14 years and called for an advisory letter from professionals and directed the Kambari and NAMA management to examine the career structure of air traffic controllers, including the possibility of promotion beyond Grade Level 16 and submit recommendations.
