NAMA tasks air traffic controllers on airspace safety

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has charged Air Traffic Controllers in the country to come up with practical and achievable solutions to problems encountered in air traffic control services in their respective airports across the nation.

Managing Director of NAMA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, gave this charge at the recently concluded Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA), which held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

He said there was need for NATCA and its members to re-invent their professional ethos, ethics and commitment, by avoiding every behavour that threatens the safe provision of service.

Akinkuotu stressed the need to draw a line between human error and willful or negligent violation of rules in the provision of service. He noted that the agency was mindful of its responsibility to provide the necessary tools, capacities and environment that would ensure optimal human performance in Air Traffic Control.

He added that NAMA, under his leadership, had invested heavily in the training of critical manpower just as it is leaving no stone unturned in upgrading infrastructure and deploying new technologies that would bring about enhanced efficiency and reliability of communication, navigation, surveillance/ air traffic management services in the country.

Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika harped on the crucial role of Air Traffic Management in integrating the two worlds of manned aircraft and remotely piloted aircraft in a safe and efficient way, as both aircraft will be using the same airspace.

Sirika, therefore, tasked air traffic controllers to use the forum and “holistically address current and future questions on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) integration as they affect the safety of the nation’s airspace.”

The minister, who was represented, congratulated NAMA on the recent commendation by major airlines on its improved services, assuring NATCA and its members of government’s determination to improve ATM technology and also invest in training and retraining of ATCOs.

National President of NATCA, Vincent Eyaru, appreciated NAMA’s management for embarking on the training of various categories of ATCOs and also “positively addressing” other issues that affect their work environment. He enjoined members to remain committed and dedicated to their duties.

A communique at the end of deliberations among others, urged the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to fast track the implementation of regulatory framework guiding the operations of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems within the Nigerian airspace and NAMA to speed up ongoing upgrade of VHF Radios and other associated facilities to meet industry standards.