Aviation
NAMA Set To Commission TRACON
As the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) is set to commission the Total Radar coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) next month, the Agency has reassured that the nation airspace is super.
The Acting Airspace Manager, Port Harcourt International Airport, Mr. Francis Banile Meph who stated this in an interview said the federal government is service to install all the radars in the nine sites, adding, that already Lagos and Abuja radar has been completed and functional nine months ago.
Mr. Mapba said one of the factor that will hinter the effective and efficient performance of the project is power, explaining that the power supply to the facilities is bad.
He noted that the Agency had to rely on generators to power the Agency equipment and pleaded that the Federal Government should come to the aid of the airport by connecting the airport to the National grid.
The Acting Air Space Manager who commended the Governoring Board of NAMA for redeeming its promises last time they inspected some facilities at the airport, said, the three generating sets promised had been delivered.
According to him, “we have received three generating sets from the headquarters, but the frequent off and on, may not be a good option for these equipment.
Asked if the Agency has a enough air traffic controller, the NAMA boss explained that the air traffic in the services of NAMA is not enough and that the agency required more.
It takes about fire years to train an Air traffic controller on the job, despite that, it also cost a lot of money, but what we have now is not enough. We still have those on job training.
Mr. Mepba however said the TRANCON project at Port Harcourt International Airport is about to be completed, “The alterner is turning. We hope that before the end of December, everything most have been completed.
He however said on completion, the equipment would reduced traffic conjunction and would make flight operations smooth. It would also aid the air traffic controllers to have the clear picture and position of the aircraft instead of depending on his mental ability and professionalism.
Nine centres were designated for the TRACON, Lagos and Abuja airports has been completed since March 2009, Port Harcourt and Kano may be ready and functional by December this year, while the other five stations will have to be completed by the first quarter of next year.
Aviation
March 28 Rollout: FAAN Directs Airlines Integration Into National Single Window
Aviation
Payment Of Cash: FAAN set February 28 Dateline in Nigeria Airport
Aviation
Aviation Professionals Want Agencies Boards’ Inauguration
As a measure to curb corruption and restore accountability, the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), has called on the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to push for the urgent formation and inauguration of governing boards for all other aviation agencies.
ANAP’s Secretary General, AbdulRasaq Saidu, made this call at the weekend when interacting with aviation correspondents, in reaction to recent inauguration of Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Keyamo had recently inaugurated the FAAN board, more than six months after its members were appointed by President Bola Tinubu, where Dr. Umar Ganduje was named Board Chairman, with FAAN’s Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku, as the Vice Chairman.
Other board members include representatives from the Ministries of Justice, Defence, Tourism, and Aviation, as well as professionals from the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, and FAAN’s legal department.
The ANAP scribe there urged the aviation Minister not to stop at FAAN but to ensure that all aviation parastatals are given functional boards to restore order and credibility to the sector.
He, however, commended Keyamo for recently inaugurating the board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria but stressed that more needed to be done.
Saidu also warned that the continued delay in constituting boards for other aviation agencies creates room for unchecked abuses, including illegal contracts, fraudulent employment practices, and mismanagement.
“The absence of governing boards violates the enabling Acts that established these agencies. Only properly constituted boards can enforce discipline, ensure due process in decision-making, and provide oversight to prevent corruption”, Saidu said.
He emphasised that the aviation unions, including ANAP, have consistently raised concerns about poor governance and lack of transparency within the aviation system.
He called on President Bola Tinubu to act swiftly by appointing board members for all relevant agencies, in the interest of fairness and aviation safety.
Saidu also tackled the former Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, for failing to inaugurate any boards during his eight-year tenure, despite appointments being made by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“ANAP raised the alarm several times under Sirika’s leadership, but nothing changed. That lapse has continued under the current administration, and it must be addressed now”, Saidu stated.
By: Corlins Walter
