NAMA Boss Tasks Graduating ATC Cadets On Safety

The technical manpower
need of Nigerian Airspace Management  Agency (NAMA) got to a boost recently as 21 cadet Air Traffic Controllers graduated at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, (NCAT), Zaria, Kaduna State.
With the graduation of the cadet controllers, the agency is gradually narrowing the gap created by retiring controllers as another group of 17 is being expected to graduate at the college by next month.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the cadets, the Managing Director of the agency, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulsalam, charged the remaining students to justify the huge investment in the course of their training by remaining committed and dedicated to duty in the overall interest of safety of the Nigerian air space.
Abdulsalam noted that as part of the transformation of the aviation sector, resulting in the remodeling of airports and the deployment of sophisticated communication, Navigations, Surveillance (NS) and among others across the country.
He said NAMA is investing heavily on the training of personnel, particularly the critical safety manpower resources in order to ensure the safe, effective, economic and  efficient utilization of these equipment and to keep pace with the dynamics of new technology.
According to the NAMA boss, the increasing demand for air traffic services over the years, occasioned by the rapid growth in population and the establishment of state and privately owned airports nationwide vis-à-vis  the high turnover of critical manpower arising from retirements and deaths, prompted the agency to resort to contracting retired air  traffic Controllers and air traffic engineers as a short term remedy.
While commending the graduating students for their perserverance and hard work, Abdulsalam also gave kudos to the management of NCAT for the tremendous support  and cooperation accorded the students while the course lasted.
The Rector of NCAT, Capt, Samuel Caulrick, in his address pointed out that the high academic standard and rigorous training offered by the instittuion makes it standout as a centre of excellence and one of the best in the world.
He charged the graduating students to be worthy ambassadors of NCAT by impacting positively to the growth of the nation’s aviation industry.

L-R: Regional General Manager FAAN, Mrs. Ebele Okoye, Manager, Public and Government, Affairs, Mobil Producing Nigeria, Mr. Yemi Fakayejo, DGM (Aviation Medical) Dr. Nuhu A. Mwadi during the flag-off ceremony of free healthcare campaign for Omegwa, Igwuruta, and IPO Communities/Official handover cermeony of completed project at FAAN Medical Centre at the Port Harcourt International, Airport, Omagwa sponsored by MPN/NNPC joint venture, recently. Photo: Egberi A. Sampson