The Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr. Ahmed Farouk, has assured the flying public of the continued safety and stability of Nigerian airspace following a recent fire incident at the Lagos international airport.
Speaking during an inspection of the affected site, Mr. Farouk confirmed that while the blaze caused a total collapse of the primary air-to-ground communication system, swift emergency protocols and the deployment of backup infrastructure have successfully restored uninterrupted air traffic services.
The incident, which occurred during a management meeting, prompted an immediate suspension of inbound flights to Lagos to ensure safety.
The NAMA boss lauded the “gallant efforts” of the Director of Operations, engineers, and ground staff, many of whom remained at their posts to salvage critical equipment despite the personal risks involved.
Their intervention allowed for the rapid transition to a backup communication system sourced from other locations, ensuring that aerodrome approach and air control remained functional.
Technical recovery is currently underway, with NAMA partnering with a local construction firm to stabilize the terrain for the deployment of a mobile control tower.
Mr. Farouk noted that civil works are progressing rapidly, with the mobile unit expected to be fully operational within the next 48 hours.
While the Managing Director admitted that the physical damage to the communication hub was extensive, he declined to provide a specific monetary valuation of the loss at this stage, noting that a comprehensive assessment is still ongoing.
“The fire affected our primary air-to-ground communication completely,” Mr. Farouk stated, “but through professionalism and rapid response, we have sustained service. Our priority remains the safety of the Nigerian airspace, which we treat as our primary reason for being.”
Reporting By Nosa Aituamen