Aviation
ATCs, NAMA trade words over lack of communication facilities in airspace
By Oyise OGHENE
ABUJA: The ongoing imbroglio between the Air Traffic Controllers under the aegis of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) yesterday took a twist as both parties traded words over the lack of communication facilities in the airspace which could lead to air disaster if adequate caution was not taken.
Speaking during an interactive session with newsmen, President of NATCA, Mr. Victor Eyaru affirmed that the communication problem with the radio has existed for three decades beyond this management and the solution to the problem has overwhelmed all the managements of NAMA even up till now.
Mr. Eyaru however called on the Federal Government to declare state of national emergency on aviation communication facilities in the interest of all Nigerian and to forestall any mid air collusion in the airspace which could cause air disaster.
Coming at a time when the nation just witnessed a helicopter crash, the call according to the NATCA President cannot be shrugged off as it is a very important wake up call for NAMA management to do all it takes to set the wrongs right.
Eyaru expressed sadness that the NAMA management expended over N400 million for the total VHF coverage project and was sadder still that NAMA bought personalized headsets of over N400, 000 each which is not a solution to the problem.
He said“If all operational Air Traffic Controllers, who are members of NATCA, through their daily loggings, are saying the communication equip0ment available to them should be improved upon to avert impending air disaster are termed as alarmists and saboteurs, then, the system needs a curative measure fast.”
”sectorisation of Lagos sub FIR, this is not the solution to their problem as being touted by NAMA management and their collaborators” he added.
The ATCs further argued that those communication facilities at the ACC in Kano (124.1MHz and 128.5MHz) had been sectorised for long and yet it has not yielded the communication buffer they were looking for asking if Lagos is sectorised whether it would make any difference just like Kano which they said was in a state of disarray.
Meanwhile, reacting to the accusation of NATCA, the management of NAMA in a statement signed by the General Manager Public Affairs, Mr. Supo Atobatele debunked the claim stressing that their position on the communication status of the agency does not exist. The statement reads in part”The management is affirmative that the seeming gloomy picture being painted by this group does not exist as the daily statistics show more traffic across the nation ‘s airports, averaging 500, apart from over 150 daily flights around the Port harcourt Airport axis operated by the oil companies”.
“Apart from this, daily foreign flights into the country has been on the increase ,just as the nation is being inundated with more requests by the foreign airlines aspiring to explore Nigerian market”.
“What else do you need to measure a safer sky?If there are no communication as being touted by the controllers, one may then ask of their magic wand in handling these flights in question over decades as suggested in their statement”.
“We view this latest affront on the management by the controllers as another attempt to distract its attention from pursuing the set goals of transforming the agency to a world class air navigation service provider”.
“Though, we would not like to join issues with them, it however behoves on us to state that the total VHF radio coverage of the country has been completed and like any new project, it is being fine tuned by the engineers to allow it operate as specified”.
“We confirm again the on going effort to the Lagos Area Control Centre by deploying 120.9MZH and what we demand from the controllers is cooperation to achieve this drive as a recent test run of the frequency by both controllers and engineers proved successful”.
“Over 300 controllers had so far been trained this year alone to enhance productivity and is on record that this group enjoys upmost priority in the scheme of things, particularly training in the agency”.
“It is therefore, absurd for this group to use NATCA platform to challenge the integrity of the management, particularly the managing director Engr. Nnamdi Udoh whose 32 years of service has been on the provision of quality air traffic management not only in Nigeria, but also in the sub- region”.
“The federal government, like we recently announced had expended more than N15 billion on various capital projects at NAMA covering AIS automation, World Geodetic Survey (WGS-84),TRACON and VHF radio coverage among other safety critical projects to boost air safety in Nigeria”.
“Finally the management would want to deny the mix up in the purchase price of headsets. NATCA should always take the pain to check its facts before going public”.
In a bold step to strengthen Akwa Ibom’s position in Nigeria’s aviation industry, Governor Umo Eno announced the addition of two new Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft to the fleet of the state-owned airline, Ibom Air, on Friday.
The two aircraft, registered as 5N-CED and 5N-CEE, mark a milestone in the state’s commitment to strategic investment, with the governor stressing that the acquisitions were fully funded by state resources without loans from financial institutions.
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At a welcoming ceremony attended by local officials and residents, Governor Eno emphasized his administration’s mission to drive revenue-generating ventures for Akwa Ibom rather than relying on debt.
He called the move a step toward breaking the cycle of government investments that only serve to pay off loans, vowing that the state’s funds would go towards projects that bring returns to the people.
The governor challenged Ibom Air to turn a profit by 2025, stating that the airline’s management should ensure routes in and out of Uyo remain dependable to prioritize the needs of Akwa Ibom travelers.
“As long as I remain governor, we will continue to use state funds for the benefit of all, not for private gain,” he said, noting that his administration aims to ensure that public investments deliver real value to the state.
Governor Eno also provided updates on several ambitious state projects, including an 18-story commercial complex underway in Lagos and an upcoming 4-star hotel in Abuja, both designed to generate revenue for Akwa Ibom.
Plans for an international market in Ikot Ekpene and the phased opening of a new terminal at the Victor Attah International Airport were also announced, with the airport terminal set for partial operation by December and full activation in early 2025.
Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Udeme Otong, commended Eno’s financial management, highlighting that the administration has avoided seeking loans over the past 18 months despite launching significant development projects.
Ibom Air’s Chairman, Pastor Imoabasi Jacob, expressed appreciation for the state’s investment in the airline, which has seen its fleet grow to nine aircraft.
Jacob credited the governor’s support with enabling Ibom Air to boost flight capacity, meeting demand on popular routes such as Uyo-Lagos-Abuja.
Captain Mfon Udom, CEO of Ibom Air, stated that the expanded fleet will improve efficiency and allow the airline to scale up its operations in time for the Christmas travel season.
Udom also noted that the airline anticipates the delivery of nine additional Airbus planes, which will further strengthen Ibom Air’s market presence.
Traditional leaders, including HRM Edidem Ita Edet Okokon III of Okobo Local Government Area, lauded the governor’s leadership, pledging continued support from the traditional institutions.
Anie Essienette, Group Manager for Marketing and Communications at Ibom Air, noted that demand for the airline’s services has surged nationwide, with the new CRJ900 aircraft helping meet this increasing need while the airline awaits further fleet expansion.
Nigeria’s Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo is of the view that there’s no cause for alarm over the approval of a private airstrip for a religious organisation, which attracted the attention of the House of Representatives.
He took to his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Friday morning to shed light on the subject, and explained that it could be a great source of revenue for Federal Government.
Keyamo asserted that the issue was raised by an honourable member at plenary, out of ignorance, but was “unanimously referred to the Aviation Committee to look into.”
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Keyamo expressed confidence that by the time his Ministry was done enlightening them, “they will be satisfied”.
He added that “the privates air strip owners pay the Federal Government handsomely for these services.”
Keyamo wrote, “I think this is not correct. The House of Reps. as a body did not call on the Minister to revoke the license of any private airstrip.
“I think what happened is that someone moved a motion in that regard and it was unanimously referred to the Aviation Committee to look into it.
“Whilst the intention of the Hon. Member who moved it is very patriotic, it was based on a complete lack of knowledge of the aviation sector.
“By the time we explain to them how private air strips work and the processes they undergo by our agencies before the final approval, they will be satisfied.
“The responsibility of the owners of private air strips is just to build the runway and terminal building. But after they build the control tower in particular, it is completely handed over to the Federal Government through NAMA (Nigerian Airspace Management Agency) which is in complete control of the entire airspace in Nigeria. An MOU is usually signed with NAMA in this regard before the airstrip is approved for operations.
“It is NAMA that provides the Air Traffic Controllers and Engineers in ALL AIRPORTS and AIRSTRIPS IN NIGERIA. And the privates air strip owners pay the Federal Government handsomely for these services.
“No object flies into Nigeria without the prior clearance by NAMA and without filing a clear flight plan, eg, where it is taking off from and where it intends to land.
“And I have recently directed that all aircraft coming into the country MUST first land at our international airports where they would be properly processed and checked before they make their local flights into whatever airport or airstrip they intend to go. So, it is COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY impossible for any private airstrip owner to just jump on an aircraft and fly in and out of the country through that facility. The Federal Government does not permit that. You will not be cleared for take off or landing without prior request and authorisation.
“I thank the Member for his patriotism, but I wish he contacted us first to explain to him before rushing to move such a motion.
“I attach herewith for public consumption the NAMA Act that gives exclusive control of the Nigerian airspace to the Federal Government through NAMA.”
The NNPC Ltd has clarified that beyond the three bodies found in the ill-fated helicopter operated by East Winds Aviation that crashed on Thursday in Port Harcourt, no other bodies have been recovered.
This was contained in a statement in Abuja on Sunday by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye.
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“The Company further notes that intensified search and rescue operations for the remaining bodies along with relevant authorities is still ongoing.
“Once again, our hearts and prayers are with family members of this unfortunate incident,” the statement added.
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