To ensure that the entire Nigerian airspace surveillance system attains the acceptable reliability level specified by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) facility would soon undergo a total turn-around maintenance
This was disclosed by the Managing Director of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Capt. Fola Akinkuotu shortly after the agency took delivery of another consignment of critical spare parts required for the continuous service and operation of the project
Akinkuotu who said that the TRACON would in a few months’ time undergo a total reconditioning process, maintained that it would be done to ensure that the entire system attains the acceptable reliability level specified by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), affirmed that it is inline with
He described the process as “a sort of Turn-around-maintenance” which is to be carried out by the equipment manufacturer, Thales Group.
Akinkuotu added the acquisition of spares for TRACON is in line with the agency’s decision to be proactive in maintaining the nation’s radar facility. “Availability of spares would ensure that parts of the radar equipment would be readily available whenever and wherever they are needed. There are some that would immediately be used for replacement while others will be kept in the warehouse pending when they will be needed and I can assure you that NAMA engineers have the capacity to undertake the maintenance of this facility as they have always done in the past,” Akinkuotu said.
The consignment which was cleared at the Apapa port in Lagos from Thales Group, in France include MES1 1400A power supply modules, control units and other critical units that would be used by NAMA engineers to effect repairs on any of the nine TRACON installations across the country as may be required to ensure optimal functioning of the system.
Speaking on the receipt of the consignment, Akinkuotu said, “the relationship between NAMA and the equipment manufacturer, Thales has never been a frosty contrary to belief in some quarters. In fact it has been very cordial and we are poised to continue to keep it that way. You will recall that we cleared some consignments of spare parts for TRACON last year from the same Thales.”
He disclosed that apart from the spares already received, another consignment of spares has landed at the Apapa port and is being cleared while other consignments are already being shipped to Nigeria from France according to the shipping schedule sent to the agency by Thales, adding that payment has already been made for all consignments ordered.
The NAMA boss said the acquisition of spares for TRACON is in line with the agency’s decision to be proactive in maintaining the nation’s radar facility.
“Availability of spares would ensure that parts of the radar equipment would be readily available whenever and wherever they are needed. There are some that would immediately be used for replacement while others will be kept in the warehouse pending when they will be needed and I can assure you that NAMA engineers have the capacity to undertake the maintenance of this facility as they have always done in the past,” Akinkuotu said.
