Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA)
In a bid to boost capacity and efficiency of air traffic management in the country, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has started deployment of 24 newly trained Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) who obtained their licences from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Organization (NCAA) recently.
The new ATCs were considered successful and deployable to different airports on need, after undergoing the necessary training and examination on Aerodrome and Approach Control. .
In the same vein the agency has also recertified a total of 30 air traffic controllers in different categories air traffic control including Terminal Approach Radar, Area Procedural Control and Area Surveillance Control after passing the required proficiency/rating tests and certified mentally fit in line with Annex 1 of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and part II of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation (NCAR).
Managing Director of NAMA Capt. Fola Akinkuotu who disclosed this over weekend, recalled that from year 2020 to date, the agency has recertified a total of 194 air traffic controllers in addition to their periodic training and retraining, targeted at keeping them abreast with the latest skills and technology in air traffic management; to ensure they remain competitive with their peers globally.
Akinkuotu also stated that to reduce issues delays and congestion in the nation’s airspace, the agency has commenced the construction of Aerodrome and Approach Control simulator at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos as a pilot project to be replicated in Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt.
The NAMA helmsman who noted that the safety of the Nigerian airspace remained a cardinal goal of the agency also enjoined air traffic controllers to continue putting in their best to justify government’s huge investment in building critical infrastructure as well as capacity of personnel.
