Management of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has debunked the allegation of abandoning the implementation of Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) automation project embarked on some years ago.
A statement signed by the spokesman of the nation’s Airspace management agency. Khalid Emele said the project is fully on course.
NAMA, according to Emele the allegations by the Aeronautical Information Management Association of Nigeria (AIMAN) in its release during the World AIS Day, was far from the truth!
It would be recalled that AIMAN in a release after its annual General meeting accused NAMA management of neglecting the implementation of the AIS Automation, thereby exposing personnel to Covid-19 pandemic.
Putting the situation into perspectives for the understanding industry stakeholders, NAMA which declared the project as ongoing, said, “The AIS Automation contract was signed since 2009 and without prejudice to previous efforts, we would like to state that the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari through the dedicated leadership of the Honourable Minister, Sen. Hadi Sirika has made remarkable interventions targeted at actualising the AIS Automation project”.
It added, “These interventions came by way of granting and approval of funding for the project which never happened in the past. The agency on its part has never relented in its bid to actualize this dream. For instance, the installation of VSAT nodes necessary for the transmission of data to remote locations is currently ongoing with 8 important nodes already running”.
Besides these, NAMA disclosed that he joint pilot briefing offices where the AIS Automation will operate from, are simultaneously being installed with 8 offices fully completed.
The statement added, “Just yesterday, another batch of equipment for installation landed at the seaport and is being cleared in Lagos.”
On efforts to fast-track the automation project, the contractor was recently mandated to air-freight Kano and Kaduna master VSAT equipment for immediate installation instead of shipping. Kano VSAT is already up and running while that of Kaduna has been cleared to NAMA stores for immediate installation.
“Furthermore, the Aeronautical Message Handling System (AMHS) and AIS database have been manufactured and are ready for shipment.”
On manpower to handle the installation at completion, NAMA disclosed that it has vigorously pursued the training and retraining of different categories of AIS staff preparatory to the takeoff of automation. While several batches of personnel have undergone factory training at different times, other AIS staff have equally been trained at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, (NCAT) Zaria to ensure they are at par with their colleagues worldwide.
Highlighting the status of the project and what the sector stand to benefit after its completion, the agency said, “the ongoing project is huge and all-encompassing, even as it seeks to address many gaps in the sector including the automation of AIS processes which had remained unattended to in the past.
“However, with the current level of support from President Mohammadu Buhari and Sen. Hadi Sirika as well as the avowed commitment of NAMA management, we are delighted to note that the AIS Automation project will soon be completed to the delight of all.”.
