NAMA loses two air traffic controllers in two weeks
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has announced yet again the death of its staff, Mr. Aniekan Inuk Effiong, an Air Traffic Controller with the agency.
The late Mr. Effiong, who was an Assistant General Manager, Operations, reportedly died in the early hours of Monday (today) 22nd of November, 2021, at his place of primary assignment in Abuja.
A statement signed by the General Manager, Public Affairs, NAMA, Mr. Khalid Emele, said, “Mr. Effiong reported to duty at the Abuja Approach Radar Control (TRACON) on the 21st of November 2021 (yesterday) at 6 pm without any sign of illness whatsoever.
“He was to close by 7 am the next day (today). However, at about 4 am this morning, he experienced difficulty in breathing.
“FAAN ambulance was called to evacuate him to the nearest medical facility. He was immediately taken to the Air Force base clinic where he died.
“Mr. Effiong was a hardworking and dedicated staff who died at the prime of his career. He will be missed by the entire NAMA community.”
It would be recalled that, two weeks ago, the agency announced the death of Mr. Francis Anwetin, another ATC Operations Manager at its Asaba Airport station.
He was allegedly hit by a vehicle on his way out of the airport gate.
TW has gathered that there has been an alarming dearth of ATCs in NAMA over the years, prompting the agency to convert non-technical staff to technical staff.
Early this year, the National Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) blamed the situation on the poor condition of service bordering on welfare, length of service, and retirement age, among other challenges.
