NAMA to construct Approach Control Simulators in four international airports
The Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has commenced the construction of the Aerodrome and Approach Control simulator at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos in a bid to reduce delays and congestion in the nation’s airspace.
The agency revealed that the pilot project will be replicated in three other international airports in Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt respectively.
The agency also said it was determined to boost the capacity and efficiency of air traffic control and management in the country through training and retraining of its personnel.
In a statement made available to TW, the agency said it has “obtained licenses for 24 newly recruited air traffic control officers from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Organization (NCAA) after successfully undergoing the necessary training and examination on Aerodrome and Approach Control.”
The newly rated air traffic controllers are currently being posted to strategic aerodromes in the country according to their areas of specialization, TW gathered.
The agency added that it has also recertified a total of 30 air traffic controllers in different categories of air traffic control, including Terminal Approach Radar, Area Procedural Control, and Area Surveillance Control, having passed the required proficiency/rating tests and certified mentally fit in line with Annex 1 of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and part II of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation (NCAR).
The Managing Director of NAMA Capt. Fola Akinkuotu recalled that from the year 2020 to date, the agency has recertified a total of 194 air traffic controllers in addition to their periodic training and retraining.
According to him, this is targeted at keeping them up to speed with the latest skills and technology in air traffic management to ensure they remain competitive with their peers globally.
Akinkuotu, who noted that the safety of the Nigerian airspace remained a cardinal goal of the agency, also enjoined air traffic controllers to continue putting in their best in order to justify the government’s huge investment in building critical infrastructure as well as the capacity of personnel.
