The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA)

  • NAMA begins implementation of FG’s executive orders

    NAMA begins implementation of FG’s executive orders

    Ahead of the June 8 deadline for the implementation of the Federal Government’s executive orders on the ease of doing business in the country, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) says it has begun the process of implementing the directive.

    The Managing Director of NAMA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, said the agency had already updated its website showing the requirements, conditions and procedures for doing business or obtaining services in the organisation.

    This include all fees and timelines necessary for the processing of applications for the services of the agency, he said in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, had on May 18 signed three far-reaching executive orders to ease business, fast-track budget submission and promote made-in-Nigeria products.

    Akinkuotu said the agency would organise workshops to sensitise both staff and industry stakeholders to the essence and imperatives of the executive orders.

    In addition, he said NAMA would collaborate with other aviation agencies with a view to harmonising processes in order to achieve the single-user interface at the airports as directed by the federal government.

    According to Akinkuotu, in compliance with the order, the agency is working out modalities to increase local content in its procurement process as it will boost locally manufactured goods in the country.

    While urging staff to ensure strict compliance with the directives within the stipulated guidelines, NAMA Chief Executive Officer called for transparency on the part of the workers in their duties.

  • N6.8bn fraud: How ex-NAMA officials made withdrawals – Bank official

    An official of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr Ade Babatunde, on Monday told a Federal High Court, Lagos, how Segun Agbolade, a former General Manager (Finance), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), defrauded the agency.

    Babatunde, while being led in evidence by the EFCC prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, made the revelations at the resumed hearing of the case before Justice Babs Kuewumi.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oyedepo had led the witness as the first prosecution witness (PW 1) in the N6.8 billion fraud case against some former employees of NAMA.

    NAN reports that EFCC had arraigned the accused including NAMA’s former Managing Director, Ibrahim Abdulsalam; former General Manager of Procurement, Olumuyiwa Adegorite and Agbolade on a 21-count charge of N6.8 billion fraud.

    Others are former acting General Manager of ICT, Bolaniran Akinribido; Sesebor Abiodun, Joy Adegorite and two companies- Randville Investment Ltd. and Multeng Travels and Tours Ltd.

    When the case was called for continuation of hearing, Babatunde told the court how the funds belonging to NAMA were allegedly converted for personal use by the accused when Abdulsalam was at the helm of affairs.

    He said that on July 13, 2015, a cash withdrawal of N3 million was made by Agbolade, (General Manager of Finance) from the account of Randville Investment Ltd.

    The witness also said that on July 15, 2015, there was another withdrawal of N2.5 million from the account of Randville Investment Ltd. and same was transferred to the account of Agbolade.

    “On Sept. 16, 2015, there was a credit transfer of N22 million into the account of Randville Investment Ltd.

    “On Sept. 28, 2015, N100 million was deposited in a fixed deposit account, and on maturity, same was paid into the account of Randville Investment Ltd.

    “On the same date, N28 million was transferred out of the account, but I cannot confirm the beneficiary, because it was not stated in the statement of account.

    “Also, on Sept. 28, 2015, N100 million was placed in another fixed deposit account.

    “On Oct. 28, 2015, the N100 million earlier placed in a fixed deposit account was paid into the account of Randville Investment Ltd.

    “On Nov. 2, 2015, N50 million was transferred twice from the Randville Investment Ltd. and I cannot also confirm the beneficiary, because it was not stated in the statement.

    “Then, on Nov. 10, 2015, there was a withdrawal of N3 million from the account of Randville Investment Ltd. by Segun Agbolade.” the first prosecution witness told the court.

    After the witness’ testimony, the defence counsel led by Mr Wale Akanni (SAN), sought for an adjournment to enable to them to cross examine the witness.

    The judge, however, granted the request, and the case was adjourned till April 5 for continuation of trial.

    NAN reports that EFCC had on Aug. 19, 2013, brought the accused before the court, accusing them of conspiring to induce NAMA to deliver N2.8 billion to Delosa Ltd., Air Sea Delivery Ltd. and Sea Schedules Systems Ltd.

    The anti-graft agency of alleged that the delivery was under the pretence that the money represented the cost of clearing NAMA’s consignments.

    EFCC further alleged that between Jan. 2 and Dec. 17, 2013, the accused allegedly converted N191 million belonging to NAMA for their private use.

    It also accused the NAMA officials of converting N728 million between 2013 and 2015 and other sums for their personal use.

    The prosecution said that the offences contravened Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3).

     

  • Kaduna Airport ready for international operations – FAAN, NAMA

    The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) say the Kaduna International Airport is now set for international operations.

    The Managing Director of FAAN, Mr. Saleh Dunoma, said the organisation has installed all safety equipment needed for the operation.

    “All the things we need for international operations are on ground. What is important actually is the safety equipment for the landing of the aircraft.

    “We have seen the runway is good, the Instrument Landing System (ILS) has been installed and the terminal building is ready.

    “The contractor has been directed by the Acting President to redouble his effort so that the remaining items of work that are remaining should be completed before the commencement of the international operations in Kaduna.

    “I think this is one of the luckiest airports; they have five generators as standby power supply. So we have more than enough,’’ he said.

    Similarly, Mr. Fola Akinkuotu, Managing Director of NAMA, said once the Abuja Airport was closed, NAMA would deploy the mobile tower from the airport to Kaduna to complement what is already on ground.

    He said that NAMA management had certified the capability of Kaduna Airport, adding that its engineers have done a good job on it.

     “As far as this (Kaduna) airport is concerned, NAMA management, we are very satisfied that we have done a good job.

    “At the inception of the project, the ILS (Instrument Landing System) was not accessible but as of today, I can tell you that not only have we installed a brand new ILS, we have also calibrated it.

    “We have a calibration certificate from a UK concern.

    “On the facilities for landing, like I said, the ILS which comprises the glide scope and localizer have been calibrated and they have been found satisfactory like 10 on 10.

    “Apart from that, we also have the approach light that actually complement and make sure that they have the ILS,’’ he said.

    The Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, announced the use of the Kaduna airport as alternative for the Abuja airport that would be closed for six weeks for repairs of its runway.

     

  • Senate committee vows to block leakages in aviation sector

    Senate committee vows to block leakages in aviation sector

    The Senate Committee on Aviation has vowed to work within its powers to block leakages in the Aviation Sector.

    The Vice Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Bala Na’Allah, made this known when agencies in the sector defended their 2017 budgets before the committee on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The agencies include Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

    He said the Senate would do everything possible to cut down wastage that had affected efficiency in the sector over the years.

    According to him, the essence is to check the level of budget implementation to ensure accountability and transparency.

    He urged the agencies to among other things, review agency’s tariff to encourage the use of Nigeria’s Airspace by foreign airlines.

    He further decried the high personnel cost and  emphasised the need for “ continuous improvement in the quality of service, particularly in securing the country’s airspace.’’

    The vice chairman also urged the agencies to “ensure that care was taken for appropriate and judicious disbursement of money.

    “Here in the Senate and under my watch, it will not be business as usual.

    “For the AIB, it  must be up and doing in its responsibility by ensuring that reports on accidents in the sector are made available at the right time.”

    He said the committee would call on the agencies for more clarification when necessary.

  • New NAMA boss assumes office

    New NAMA boss assumes office

    The newly appointed Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Capt. Fola Akinkuotu,  assumed office on Thursday assumed office at the agency’s headquarters in Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that Akinkuotu was briefed by some top management staff of the agency as he assumed duties.

    Akinkuotu, a former Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) was named NAMA Managing Director on Jan. 9.

    He took over from Mr Emma Anasi, who had been working in acting capacity since last March when the former Managing Director, Mr Ibrahim Abdulsalam, was removed for alleged fraud.

    Akinkuotu, a transport pilot, flight and aircraft maintenance engineer was also a former rector of the International Aviation College, Ilorin.

    Until his new appointment, he was the chief executive officer of Aero Contractors Airlines, which recently resumed operations after a four-month self-imposed suspension.

    Meanwhile, an aviation union, the Nigeria Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) had congratulated Akinkuotu on his appointment.

    The union urged Akinkuotu to use his wealth of experience to reposition NAMA.

    The President of NATCA, Mr Victor Eyaru, told NAN that the new NAMA boss was vast in industry and was capable of transforming NAMA if given the needed support.

    “He is not new to the industry and as a former pilot; he understands the need to put the right things in place to enhance air safety.

    “One of the most important areas is the issue of communication between pilots and the air traffic controllers which is presently not good enough, due to lack of equipment.

    “We believe that he can quickly address this issue and other challenges so that NAMA would be able to live up to its statutory responsibilities,” Eyaru said.

  • NACAN decries low number of personnel at airports

    The National Air Traffic Communicators Association of Nigeria (NACAN) says the inadequate number of its personnel for operations in the country’s 24 functional airports is worrisome.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NACAN’s President, Mr George Nkambo, spoke at the association’s fourth general meeting in Lagos on Tuesday.

    Nkambo disclosed that there were only 97 trained and licensed communication personnel nationwide, which was grossly inadequate to cover operations across the nation’s airports.

    According to him, the management of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) did not employ personnel into the department between 1989 and 2012.

    He, therefore, appealed to the management to approve the basic training at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology for officers to be properly integrated into the mainstream.

    According to him, this will assist in addressing the acute manpower shortage in the department.

    Nkambo said that NAMA, as an air navigation service provider, had the responsibility of rendering its task with high sense of professionalism as outlined by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) annexes.

    The NACAN president also decried the inability of his members to attend mandatory local and foreign courses to build their capacity due to lack of funding by management.

    He explained that air traffic communication was an important part of air traffic service in NAMA as spelt out in ICAO Annex 10 volume II, which was necessary for exchange of air traffic service messages.

    Nkambo, however, commended the NAMA’s management for converting some personnel from within the agency who applied for conversion after meeting the requisite criteria, into the department.

    The NACAN president also called for provision of modern facilities across the airports to improve the safety of air navigation in the country.

  • Alleged N2.8b theft: EX-NAMA MD, others get trial date

    Alleged N2.8b theft: EX-NAMA MD, others get trial date

    The trial of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Managing Director/Chief Executive Ibrahim Abdulsalam will resume at the Federal High Court in Lagos November 8.

    The trial was stalled Wednesday due to the absence of Justice Babs Kuewunmi, who is attending a conference in Abuja as part of the court’s new legal year program.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Abdulsalam and others on April 7 for allegedly stealing N2.8billion.

    He was arraigned along with Nnamdi Udoh (said to still at large), Adegorite Olumuyiwa, Agbolade Segun, Clara Aliche, Joy Ayodele Adegorite, Randville Invesment Ltd and Multeng Travels and Tours Ltd on 21 counts charge.

    EFCC said on August 19, 2013, the defendants, with intent to defraud, conspired amongst themselves to induce NAMA to deliver the sum of N2, 847,523,975.00 to Delosa Ltd, Air Sea Delivery Ltd and Sea Schedules Systems Ltd under the pretense that the money represented the cost of clearing NAMA’s consignments.

    The alleged offence is contrary to section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3).

    The prosecution said the defendants conspired to deliver various amounts to Delosa Limited on different dates under the pretence that they were payment for clearing NAMA’s consignment.

    EFCC said they paid the firm N274, 021,452.00 between January 31 and April 15, 2013; and between August 19 and December 31, 2013, they paid it N151, 136,320.

    The defendants also paid the firm N403, 485,057.70 between January 15 and December 17, 2014, as well as N285, 906,834.10 between January 14 and September 16, 2015, the prosecution alleged.

    EFCC said the defendants induced NAMA to pay Air Sea Delivery Ltd the sum of N409,010,344.70 under the pretense it represented the cost of clearing NAMA’s goods. EFCC said they also paid Air Sea N230, 585,636.20 between January 14 and September 16.

    According to the agency, another company, Sea Schedules System Ltd, got N227, 634,567.20 between September 11 and December 15, 2014 under the pretence that it cleared NAMA’s consignments, and between January 14 and September 3, the defendants paid Sea Schedulesthe sum of N314,378,212.80.

    The defendants were accused of conspiring amongst themselves on January 2, 2013 to convert N858,507, 609.56, property of NAMA, which was derived from stealing, contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable  under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

    Between January 2 and December 17, 2013, the defendants allegedly converted N191, 616,651.56 belonging to NAMA to themselves.

    EFCC said they allegedly converted N728, 870,158 between 2013 and 2015.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    The court also fixed November 9 and 10 for the trial.

  • Aviation union to FG: Halt airports concession plan

    Aviation union to FG: Halt airports concession plan

    The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), has urged the Federal Government to immediately halt its plan to concession the four major airports in the country.

    The union made this known in an eight-point communique issued at its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Ilorin, Kwara.

    A copy of the communique which was signed by NUATE’s General Secretary, Mr Olayinka Abioye, was made available to newsmen in Lagos on Thursday.

    The Minister of State for Aviation, Capt. Hadi Sirika, had on Sept. 6, told newsmen that there was no going back on the concession of the Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt Airports.

    Sirika had argued that the move would ensure that the airports were properly managed, while the government would still retain their ownership.

    Abioye’s communique faulted the plan to concession the four airports which it described as the cash-cow out of the 22 airports owned by the Federal Government.

    “The NEC in-session therefore calls for immediate stoppage of the concession of Nigerian airports to avoid industrial crisis that may arise as the government has failed to carry along stakeholders on this germane matter,” he said.

    He urged the aviation agencies, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), to improve the welfare of their workers.

    Abioye’ also advised government to appoint a substantive managing director for NAMA and restructure its directorates in consonance with the provisions of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

    On the state of the economy, the communique advised the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to take more concrete steps toward alleviating poverty across the nation.

    “The NEC in-session sympathises with the government over the continued slide to recession of the nation’s economy but encourages it to remain focused in its quest for nation building.

    “This can be achieved by engaging more in social dialogue with critical stakeholders in the country and setting the machinery in motion to deploy experts into freeing our economy from the jaws of economic recession,” he added.

  • Alleged fraud: Court approves defendant’s foreign medical trip

    Alleged fraud: Court approves defendant’s foreign medical trip

    The Federal High Court, Lagos Division, Friday granted permission for foreign medical travel to an official of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mrs Adegorite Joy, facing a N2.8 billion fraud charge.

    Joy, who, along with six others and five companies, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), knelt in prayer and shed tears of relief following the judge’s ruling.

    Justice Babs Kuewumi made the order following Joy’s application through her lawyer, Mr. A. B. Onifade, seeking the release of her passport to enable her travel to Dubai for medical treatment.

    Onifade told the court during hearing last Monday that his client was suffering from acute sinusitis, asthma and hypertensive heart disease.

    He said she had earlier scheduled a medical appointment with her doctor at the Saudi-German Hospital Group and had already purchased an air ticket before she was arrested in April.

    Joy’s health, he added, had since suffered a decline and he urged Justice Kuewumi to order the EFCC to release her passport to enable her travel abroad, assuring that she would not jump bail or abscond.

    “The fifth defendant will be away for a maximum of four weeks. We urge Your Lordship to exercise discretion in favour of the fifth defendant,” Onifade said.

    Although opposed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), the judge, held in a short ruling, held that Joy’s application, dated June 15, was meritorious.

    The judge observed that her application contained eight grounds in 19 paragraphs and was supported by documents of her medical history as well as travel documents.

    “The applicant also filed an affidavit of extreme urgency for travel to the Saudi-German Hospital in Dubai, for medical treatment,” Justice Kuewumi noted.

    The court held that the applicant was entitled to enjoy the constitutionally guaranteed presumption of innocence which enured in her favour.

    “It’ll be in the overall interest of justice to allow the applicant travel.

    “Furthermore, the court is on vacation and the substantive matter has already been adjourned till after vacation. Health is wealth,” Justice Kuewumi held.

    He continued: “The defendant is hereby granted leave to travel to Dubai for specialised medical treatment. She is given four weeks to embark on the trip to Dubai and return to Nigeria.”

    The judge further ordered the EFCC to “release immediately” the defendant’s international passport.

    It also ordered that after the trip, the defendant must deposit the passport in the court’s custody.
    Joy, the fifth defendant in the suit, was arraigned by the EFCC on April 12, alongside NAMA’s Managing Director, Ibrahim Abdusalam, and five other NAMA officials for an alleged N2.8bn fraud perpetrated within NAMA between August 2013 and January 2016.

    The five others are Agbolade Segun, Clara Aliche, Olumuyiwa Adegorite, Bola Akinribido and Sesebor Abiodun.

    Also joined as defendants are five companies, namely: Randville Investment Limited; Multeng Travels and Tours Limited; Delosa Limited; Airsea Delivery Limited and Sea Schedule System Limited.

    They are standing trial on a 21-count charge bordering on conspiracy, advanced fee fraud and money laundering.

    All defendants denied the charge and were granted N20m bail each with one surety each in the like sum.

    They were also ordered to deposit their passports in the custody of the court until the conclusion of the trial.

     

  • NAMA, NAF partner on airspace safety

     

     

    The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have held high level deliberations bordering on collaboration and synergy of the two institutions in the areas of security of navigational infrastructure, calibration of navigational aids, training of personnel and exchange programmes.

    Speaking when he led a high-powered delegation on a courtesy visit to NAMA headquarters in Lagos, Director of Air Traffic Management Services, Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal. C. T. Gudi, noted that as a dependable ally, NAMA has always collaborated with NAF in critical areas like strategic airspace surveillance, air traffic control, airspace security and training of Air Force personnel.

    AVM. Gudi stated that the professional and technical expertise provided by NAMA in Air Force operations and training remained invaluable, stressing that their visit was therefore “to deepen this existing cordial relationship and operational synergy especially given the numerous benefits accruing to the nation in terms of safety and security of the airspace.”

    AVM Gudi, who specifically appreciated NAMA for providing on-the-job training for Air Force personnel who graduate from the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) Zaria, also appealed to the agency to always consider the Air Force while planning for ad hoc trainings and seminars on Performance Based Navigation (PBN) and other such programmes which fall in between the major courses at NCAT, Zaria.

    According to him, “the aviation world is very sophisticated and dynamic and is all about who has superior training. Given that NAMA is more acquainted with ICAO calendar and programmes, it has become imperative that the Nigerian Air Force be carried along in some of these trainings so that we can all be speaking the same language.”

    In his remarks, the Ag. Managing Director of NAMA, Engr. Emma Anasi stated that the complimentary role played by NAMA and NAF in ensuring safety and security of the airspace requires that a coordinated and harmonious civil/military collaboration has to be sustained and improved upon.

    While appreciating NAF for providing security around navigational facilities across the nation’s airports, Anasi called for uniformity of Communication, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) infrastructure between the two organizations which he believes will make for inter-operability of systems and seamlessness in airspace management.