The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has taken a significant step towards bridging the existing gaps in air safety in the country by empowering air traffic controllers, ATCs, with various skills.
This move is aimed at preparing the agency for the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP).
Speaking at a training workshop in Lagos, the Managing Director of NAMA, Mr. Farouk Umar, represented by the Director of Air Traffic Services, Mr. John Tayo, highlighted the various trainings conducted by the agency to include annual and English Language proficiency checks, which are in accordance with Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation (NCAR) Part II.
Those trained are 339 air traffic controllers in conjunction with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, in Annual Proficiency checks, another set of 69 in Promotion Proficiency Check and 243 in English Language Proficiency Check.
Mr. Umar also announced plans to fully deploy the Air Traffic Control 3-D Tower Simulator at Lagos Centrex, which will enable controllers to enhance their skills and capacity, adding that, the agency is also working to replicate similar facilities in Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano airports.
According to the NAMA boss, over the past ten months, 87 air traffic controllers (ATCs) have passed the NCAA Certification Examination Rating on Aerodrome, Approach and Area, Procedural and Surveillance, while another 91 ATCs have obtained new or renewed Air Traffic Control (ATC) licences in compliance with ICAO Document (9426).
In his address, Mr. Umar stressed the importance of dedicated service from air traffic controllers across the nation.
He stated that the policy direction of his administration is focused on optimizing the capacity of critical personnel through training, retraining, and capacity building.
This, he believes, will enable the efficient use of communication, navigation, and surveillance infrastructure across the country.
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