The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has said that Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), airlines and pilots must have Catergory Three (CAT III) certification before the issue of zero visibility landing could be achieved in the country
This was made known last week by the Acting Managing Director, NAMA, Engr. Lawrence Pwajok, at Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos during the oversight visit of the joint National Assembly Committee on Aviation.
Pwajok who explained that NAMA has Category III system in Lagos and Abuja airports, which could land aircraft in zero visibility weather condition however noted that for the equipment to be functional, other navigation equipment provided by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) like the airfield lighting must be upgraded to the Category III status, while aircraft and pilots must also be compliant.
He also said that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) must certify the equipment, aircraft and pilots for that purpose.
He said: “In Lagos and Abuja airports, we are on Category III status. With this, aircraft can have zero visibility landing on the two airports. However, NAMA is also planning to upgrade the lighting system to Category III. The moment this is done, airlines can land with zero visibility at the two airports.”
Pwajok further stated that the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON), which was installed in 2010 needed upgrade as most of its software have become obsolete.
According to him, since the contract for the maintenance of the radar elapsed in 2014, the contract is yet to be renewed, saying that there was the need to have an improved system to further improve safety in the country.
Reacting, Sen. Smart Adeyemi, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation promised that the National Assembly would make provision for the upgrade of the radar.
In similar development NAMA it is set to ensure improved safety in the Nigerian airspace with the installation of Extended Very High Frequency Radio system in several of its stations across the country.
With the installation of the equipment, NAMA said that blind spots in the country’s airspace would be covered while safety and security in the air and on ground would further be enhanced.
Reacting, Sen. Smart Adeyem, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation Sen. Smart Adeyemi promised that the national Assembly would make provision for the upgrade of the radar.
