Controllers, pilots raise alarm over Nigeria airspace safety
*Lament radar frequent failures
*Nation loses revenue over equipment failure
Air traffic controllers under the aegis of the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) have called on the Federal Government to urgently declare a state of emergency on what it described as the epileptic working condition of communication facilities in the Nigerian airspace.
In a communique issued at the end of its 45th Annual General Meeting held in Jos, Plateau State and signed by Victor Eyaru and Banji Olawode, President and Secretary General of NATCA respectively, the group disclosed that the present controller-pilot VHF communication coverage of the country’s airspace does not meet the required standard thereby constituting threats to air safety.
They said they are seriously concerned about the safety of pilots, aircraft and passengers that operate within the Nigerian airspace.
They noted that on a daily basis, Nigeria loses enormous revenue in foreign exchange due to many aircraft operating within the upper airspace avoiding the Nigeria’s airspace.
According to the communique, “The inability of air traffic controllers to communicate effectively with pilots over the years has negatively affected the health of air traffic controllers.”
“We hereby call on the Federal Government to investigate these claims by involving the end users (Pilots’ Association) and also request urgent reforms within three months. After this period, the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers may be left with no option than to take necessary actions.”
They further disclosed that the radar equipment (TRACON) working condition is appalling as a result of frequent failures.
To them, the lifespan of the equipment has expired and requires urgent replacement or upgrade, adding that the replacement/upgrade should involve active Air Traffic Controllers and be handled in a transparent way in the interest of the nation.
The Association therefore rejected what it said is the lip service being paid to the air traffic control manpower shortage in the country where only less than half the required number is available.
For illustration, Air Traffic Navigation Service (ATNS) of South Africa has 1, 076 personnel of air traffic controllers, 500 Area Control Centres with two airport control towers whereas, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has 2, 500 personnel with just 300 air traffic controllers across the nation with two Area Control Centres and 32 control towers.
The group called on the Federal Government and NAMA to immediately recruit more Air Traffic Controllers into the system in the interest of air safety, adding that the inability of the various agencies employing air traffic controllers such as NAMA, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) to provide adequate resources for the recruitment and training of Air Traffic controllers as a result of the over bloated personnel is skewed against the core professionals is unacceptable.
The controllers therefore called on the Federal Government to urgently appoint a well-qualified person as the Chief Executive Officer for the agency.
It would be recalled that NAMA has been with an acting Managing Director for over eight months after its former Managing Director, Ibrahim Abdulsalam was nabbed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged theft and fraud. He has since pleaded not guilty as his trial continues in Federal High Court, Lagos.
