Ken Okeke
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has between December 2023 and now, conducted an Annual Proficiency Check for 339 air traffic controllers in conjunction with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority as well as Promotion Proficiency Check for another set of 69 air traffic controllers. In the same vein, the agency has conducted the English Language Proficiency Check for 243 controllers in accordance with Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation (NCAR) Part II to close existing gaps ahead of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP).
The Managing Director of NAMA, Engr Farouk Ahmed Umar who made this disclosure during the annual air traffic management workshop of the agency which held at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos, listed other the achievements of his ten-month administration in the area of air traffic management to include a total of 87 air traffic controllers in the agency who had passed the NCAA Certification Examination Rating on Aerodrome, Approach and Area (Procedural and Surveillance), and another set of 91 air traffic controllers who got new or renewed Air Traffic Control (ATC) licences in compliance with ICAO Document (9426).
Engr Farouk who was represented at the event by the Director of Air Traffic Services, Mr John Tayo, also announced that as part of moves to enhance capacity, the Air Traffic Control 3-D Tower Simulator at Lagos Centrex was about to be fully deployed for use by controllers while efforts were ongoing for a replication of similar facilities in Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano airports.
While enjoining air traffic controllers across the nation to remain dedicated to their duties, the NAMA boss stated that the policy direction of his administration was targeted towards optimizing the capacity of critical personnel through training, retraining and capacity building as this, according to him, would in turn enhance maximum and efficient use of communication, navigation and surveillance infrastructure across the country.