The President of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, Comrade John Ogbe, has called on the Federal Government to urgently review the navigational charges of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA.
He warned that the current tariff regime poses long-term operational and safety risks to the aviation sector.
Comrade Ogbe noted that NAMA’s navigational charges have remained unchanged for more than 15 years, despite significant changes in economic realities and the rising cost of providing air navigation services.
He said the cost of maintaining critical infrastructure, technology and skilled manpower today cannot be compared to what it was over a decade ago, stressing that the existing charges no longer reflect present-day operational demands.
According to him, even under a cost-recovery framework, it is unrealistic to expect NAMA to effectively deliver on its mandate with outdated tariffs.
The ATSSSAN President emphasized that a timely review of navigational charges is essential to ensure the agency is properly funded, fit for purpose and able to carry out its responsibilities efficiently.
Comrade Ogbe further warned that inadequate funding of air navigation services could ultimately translate into safety concerns, adding that sustainable financing of NAMA is critical to maintaining safe skies and supporting the growth of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Reporting By Nosa Aituamen