NAMA to overhaul airspace infrastructure, deploy HF communication facilities, others

…Farouk, Director in Germany for equipment Factory Assessment Test

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has concluded plans to overhaul the nation’s airspace infrastructure architecture as it is set to deploy the Rohde & Schwarz High-Frequency (HF) transceiver, equipped with advanced signal processing algorithms that significantly reduce the noise levels typically associated with traditional HF systems.

This technology leap is expected to boost the long-range air-to-ground communications capabilities across the Nigerian airspace.

It is specifically designed to address the range limitations of the current Very High Frequency (VHF) systems.

The new HF solution would ensure robust and reliable communication coverage over the Gulf of Guinea, extending far into the Atlantic Ocean, across the Northern desert regions beyond the Kano Flight Information Region (FIR).

To speedily provide these facilities, the Managing Director of NAMA, Ahmed Umar Farouk accompanied by the Director of Electronic Engineering Services (DEES), NAMA, Engr. Teresa Ihenachor and other members of NAMA who are currently in Germany on a factory assessment test (FAT) of critical communication equipment needed to enhance the efficiency of the agency’s air-ground communication infrastructure will hold high-level talks with officials of Rhode and Schwarz as well as Deo Makro Ltd, an indigenous contractor which facilitated the visit.

The new HF solution according to the spokesman for NAMA, Dr. Abdullahi Musa would ensure robust and reliable communication coverage over the Gulf of Guinea, extending far into the Atlantic Ocean, across the Northern desert regions beyond the Kano Flight Information Region (FIR).

Farouk expressed optimism that the deployment of the communication equipment would further boost upper airspace communication in the country, stressing that, “This move aligns with the commitment of the President towards enhancing the safety of the sector through upgrading and modernizing airspace infrastructure.”

Recall that the Federal Government last year acceded to the request of NAMA to overhaul and modernise the communication architecture of the country’s airspace.

The NAMA MD noted that the communication difficulty encountered between air traffic controllers and aircraft pilots became difficult as a result of epileptic electricity supply which he described as a national issue, stressing that the agency had declared an emergency on electricity.

He said, “We have declared an emergency on power because the moment you don’t have power, it is very difficult to communicate signal into the air that the air pilot will make use of and communicate. Those are challenges and we have that aspect of the satellite system.”

“The performance is fast deteriorating. Electronics generally, the lifespan doesn’t go beyond ten years. We are into 15 years of this product. What we are saying is that it is fast deteriorating and the government has acceded to our request to quickly modernize it and we are going beyond modernizing. We want to key into the latest technology as far as surveillance system is concerned”.

Farouk further stated that the key responsibility of NAMA is communication between pilots and air traffic controllers, saying,  “We had issues before but I want to assure Nigerians that the communication architecture of Nigerian airspace is now broadened”.

Wole Shadare