Aviation Minister Eulogises Air Traffic Controllers

The Minister of Aviation, Mrs Stella Oduah-Ogiewonyi has commended Air Traffic Controllers for their invaluable contributions to the safety of the nation’s airspace.

The minister was speaking at the 41st Annual General Meeting of the Air Traffic Controllers in Markurdi, the Benue State capital.

Oduah-Ogiewonyi who was represented by her Technical Adviser, Victor Oche expressed satisfaction with the role played by the controllers in search and rescue operation during the Dana Air crash.

He noted that the controllers had a part to play in achieving the envisaged airport growth and enjoined them not to betray the confidence reposed in them.

In his speech, the Managing Director of Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nnamdi Udoh reiterated the importance of Air Traffic Controllers to the safety of the nation’s airspace and assured them of the support of the agency  in the discharge of their duties.

Udoh, who was represented by the Director of Air Traffic Safety of Electric Services, Ifeanyi Nwankwo said that the agency was on course by training the controllers in spite of the huge financial outlay, adding that the automation of Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) would be completed by the end of this year.

In his welcome address, the out-going president of NATCA, Haske Jibrin called on the management of NAMA to upgrade its communication, navigation and surveillance infrastructure and also stressed the need for the implementation of enhanced professional allowances for controllers in NAMA, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT).

He commended the federal government for the intervention in the funding of TRACON project, Total VHF coverage project and the Aeronautical Information Management, stressing that the projects should be completed before the end of the year.

He also called on airlines operating in the country to support safe and efficient air traffic services by paying applicable charges regularly.