NAMA refutes claims of inadequate radar coverage, poor Air Traffic Controller welfare

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has strongly refuted recent claims made in a television interview by journalist David Hundeyin on News Central, describing the assertions as “unfounded and spurious.” 

In an official press statement signed by Engr. Ahmed Umar Farouk, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NAMA, the agency addressed several key issues raised in the report.

NAMA categorically denied the claim that Nigerian airspace is not adequately covered by radar, labeling it false and misleading. 

The agency emphasised that radar stations in major cities including Kano, Lagos, Abuja, and Port-Harcourt are fully operational and serviceable. 

These stations, according to NAMA, provide crucial radar services for both terminal and enroute flights, ensuring positive identification and air navigation services for airspace users.

While acknowledging that the TRACON system is currently undergoing software upgrades and modernisation, NAMA stressed that this is a routine procedure aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of air traffic management in response to growing demands.

The agency also addressed allegations concerning the welfare of Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers, specifically the claim that their salaries and allowances are the lowest in the world. 

NAMA firmly stated that this is not the case, highlighting its commitment to maintaining sustainable welfare packages for its staff, particularly the Air Traffic Controllers.

Clarifying the issue of an “unidentified” aircraft mentioned in the report, NAMA explained that this term is used for security purposes. 

The agency explained that in reality, the aircraft in question was known to Air Traffic Control (ATC), and the incident, which occurred during severe weather conditions, was managed in the interest of safety.

Additionally, NAMA explained that a circular issued by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) was intended to guide airlines in avoiding prohibited or restricted areas of Nigerian airspace, ensuring adherence to established protocols.

The agency suggested that the journalist may lack a comprehensive understanding of the surveillance systems, leading to misinterpretations about the functionalities of Primary and Secondary Radar. 

NAMA expressed its willingness to provide detailed information on its services to anyone who requires it.

Reaffirming its dedication, NAMA declared its ongoing commitment to delivering safe, effective, economic, and efficient air navigation services across Nigeria. 

The agency assured that robust civil and military coordination and collaboration are in place, guaranteeing the security and safety of Nigerian airspace.

The statement: “NIGERIAN AIRSPACE FULLY COVERED BY RADAR

“The attention of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has been drawn to a television interview / report by a journalist (David Hundeyin) on News Central whereby some unfounded and spurious claims were made.

“The agency hereby wishes to state that the claim that the Nigerian airspace is not covered by Radar is false and misleading. 

“The radar stations in Nigeria (Kano, Lagos, Abuja, and Port-Harcourt) are serviceable. 

“Radar services for Terminal and Enroute flights are positively identified and provide air navigation services to airspace users. 

“Yes, it is true that the TRACON system, like any other electronics systems, is undergoing an upgrade of software and modernisation to meet the ever growing demand for efficient, effective and seamless air traffic management services.

“Furthermore, the welfare of Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers in terms of salaries and allowances is not in contention, as to suggest that it is the lowest in the world. 

“NAMA, as a reputable agency, prides herself at ensuring sustainable welfare packages for her staff, especially the Air Traffic Controllers.

“The reported “unidentified” aircraft is a security terminology. In real terms, the aircraft in question is known, but only to the ATC. 

“The violation was in the interest of safety, as a result of adverse weather (serious thunderstorm) on the said date. 

“The purported circular issued by the NCAA is for airlines to be guided from straying into the marked and published prohibited or restricted areas of the Nigerian airspace.

“It is obvious that the journalist in question does not understand the workings of the surveillance systems, hence his misconstrued and misguided information on Primary and Secondary Radar. 

“The agency shall willfully volunteer information on her services to anyone who requires them at any time.

“NAMA remains committed to her responsibility to provide safe, effective, economic, and efficient air navigation services in Nigeria. 

“The existence of robust, effective civil / military coordination and collaboration guarantees a secured airspace and air navigation. 

“We are pleased to say that the Nigerian airspace is safe and secured.”

Signed:

Engr. Ahmed Umar FAROUK FNSE, COREN RGD, MD/CE NAMA