NAMA To Introduce VHF Communication In Airspace

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) says  it will introduce the newly completed VHF radio service communication in the airspace.

The Managing Director of NAMA, Nnamdi Udoh who disclosed this in Abuja said the agency would commence 24 hours service at the Owerri, Enugu and Yola airports from this year.

He said that the agency would negotiate with Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and airline operations wishing to operate night flights at the airports to make it work.

“The reason while I think there is nothing wrong in the agency creating 24 hours operation in these airports is because if you are coming late, you pay NAMA money, but if I make it 24 hours, I want to think more airlines will come and pay us more money.

So, we are declaring 24 hours service for those airports because we want to provide manpower, we want to make more airlines to fly into the airports. So, it will not be like the present situation where airlines end flights by 6.00pm which puts airlines under pressure to land and leave the airports as quickly as possible before the closing time”, he said.

According to him, there will be notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued for the airports, adding that critical airports are Yola, Owerri and Enugu.

“We want to do that so that the airlines can schedule their operations. We will talk with them and find out which airport they want and any airport any operator wants will be available 24 hours. There is no point keeping it open and we don’t use it because most of those airports run on diesel”, Udoh explained.

On the issue of communication, NAMA boss said that any possible hiccups that might be experienced by pilot would be due transition from the old system to the Total VHF coverage of the airspace to ensure that every part of Nigerian’s airspace was covered by communication.

“Today, the Total VHF coverage has been completed. We are just transiting from old technology, scriteching from old system until finally everybody will smile, because whatever issues in communication that we have will be eliminated”, he added.

He explained that the Automatic Dependent Broadcast System-ADBS would be installed in the oceanic areas and in Niger Delta for helicopters operations to ensure security at the littoral states.

Reward Akwu