The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Airspace Management Agency

  • NAMA extends advanced satellite system to 26 airports

    NAMA extends advanced satellite system to 26 airports

    The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has taken another bold step in strengthening aeronautical communication across the nation with the extension of the Advanced Satellite System Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunications Network (AFTN) from 14 airports to 26 airports nationwide.

    The airspace agency disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

    This initiative , the agency further said , forms part of NAMA’s broader migration program to the global Air Traffic Services Message Handling System (ATSMHS), which will ensure Nigeria’s seamless integration into the international aeronautical communication framework.

    The extended AFTN network, the statement added provides enhanced resilience and reliability in the transmission of aeronautical messages, ensuring that critical flight safety information is always available, even in the unlikely event of primary system downtime. With this infrastructure, controllers, pilots, and aviation stakeholders can depend on a robust communication system that improves operational safety and efficiency.

    This milestone  comes as NAMA prepares for the commissioning of the Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) Automation Project, a game-changing development that will further modernize airspace management in Nigeria.

    READ ALSO: A way out for the North

    The upgraded AFTN, which operates on X.25 protocols, the statement added , is designed to serve as a backup system to the soon-to-be-commissioned Aeronautical Message Handling System (AMHS) that runs on X.400 and X.500 protocols.

    Industry observers have hailed the foresight of the Managing Director/Chief Executive of NAMA, Engr. Farouk Umar, for steering this landmark achievement.

     His commitment to technological innovation and airspace modernization has continued to transform NAMA into a frontline player in global air navigation services.

    Together, these projects, industry stakeholders say underscore the Agency’s readiness for next-generation aviation technologies while aligning with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and recommended practices.

    They said :” Engr. Farouk Umar’s leadership has not only accelerated Nigeria’s transition to advanced communication systems but also reaffirmed the Agency’s resolve to maintain excellence in aviation safety, innovation, and efficiency across the region.”

    The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has taken another bold step in strengthening aeronautical communication across the nation with the extension of the Advanced Satellite System Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunications Network (AFTN) from 14 airports to 26 airports nationwide.

    The airspace agency disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

    This initiative , the agency further said , forms part of NAMA’s broader migration program to the global Air Traffic Services Message Handling System (ATSMHS), which will ensure Nigeria’s seamless integration into the international aeronautical communication framework.

    The extended AFTN network, the statement added provides enhanced resilience and reliability in the transmission of aeronautical messages, ensuring that critical flight safety information is always available, even in the unlikely event of primary system downtime. With this infrastructure, controllers, pilots, and aviation stakeholders can depend on a robust communication system that improves operational safety and efficiency.

    This milestone  comes as NAMA prepares for the commissioning of the Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) Automation Project, a game-changing development that will further modernize airspace management in Nigeria.

    The upgraded AFTN, which operates on X.25 protocols, the statement added , is designed to serve as a backup system to the soon-to-be-commissioned Aeronautical Message Handling System (AMHS) that runs on X.400 and X.500 protocols.

    Industry observers have hailed the foresight of the Managing Director/Chief Executive of NAMA, Engr. Farouk Umar, for steering this landmark achievement.

     His commitment to technological innovation and airspace modernization has continued to transform NAMA into a frontline player in global air navigation services.

    Together, these projects, industry stakeholders say underscore the Agency’s readiness for next-generation aviation technologies while aligning with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and recommended practices.

    They said :” Engr. Farouk Umar’s leadership has not only accelerated Nigeria’s transition to advanced communication systems but also reaffirmed the Agency’s resolve to maintain excellence in aviation safety, innovation, and efficiency across the region.”

  • NAMA to carry out radar check

    Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) is set to recondition the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) to enable it meet the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standard.

    Reconditioning is the overhaul of the airspace radar equipment to keep pace with global best practices.

    In an interview at the weekend, NAMA Managing Director Captain Fola Akinkuotu said the exercise would involve a turnaround maintenance,  which is to be carried out by the equipment manufacturer- Thales Group of France.

    The agency has taken delivery of another consignment of critical spare parts required for the  exercise.

    The consignment, cleared at the Apapa port in Lagos, came from Thales Group. It includes MES1 1400A power supply modules, control units and other critical units.

    The spare parts, Akinkuotu said, would be  used by NAMA engineers on any of the nine TRACON installations across the country to ensure their optimal functioning.

    Akinkuotu said: “The relationship between NAMA and the equipment manufacturerThales has never been frosty as some  reports would have it. In fact,  it has been very cordial and we are poised to continue to keep it that way. You will recall that we cleared some consignments of spare parts for TRACON last year from the same Thales.”

    He disclosed that another consignment  was being cleared at the Apapa port, adding that other consignments were expected from Thales as payments had been made.

     

     

  • NAMA inuagurates landing equipment

    THE Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA)  has inaugurated the Category II Instrument Landing System (ILS) at the Benin Airport in the Edo State capital.

    Speaking at a meeting with workers at the agency’s headquarters annex in Ikeja,  Lagos, NAMA’s Managing Director Capt. Fola Akinkuotu said this was in fulfilment of a   pledge by the agency to upgrade navigational infrastructure in strategic airports across the country to boost socio-economic activities in such areas.

    Akinkuotu announced that the agency has equally inaugurated the ILS at Port Harcourt Airport, damaged by an aircraft last year. He said that the flight inauguration, handled by Omni-Blue Aviation Limited indicated that the new landing equipment were operating at optimal capacity.

    He hinted that installation of CAT II ILS would start soon at Maiduguri, Jos and Minna airports.

    Capt. Akinkuotu informed the workers that in line with management’s objective to maintain a healthy and productive workforce, the agency had concluded plans to enroll NAMA into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the next two months.

    He assured them that the contentious issue of review of Condition of Service (COS) was being treated and would soon be concluded by the government.

    The NAMA boss expressed gratitude to management and workkers of the agency for their  support and cooperation in tha past two years.

  • NAMA installs ILS at Benin airport

    As part of ongoing bid to upgrade infrastructure in the aviation sector, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), has installed Category II Instrument Landing System (ILS) at the Benin Airport.

    A statement issued by NAMA Spokesperson, Mr Khalid Emele on Tuesday in Lagos said the Managing Director of the agency, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu made the announcement while addressing members of staff.

    Akinkuotu said installation of the ILS was in line with an earlier pledge by the agency to upgrade navigational infrastructure in strategic airports across the country in a bid to boost socio-economic activities in such areas.

    He also said that the agency had replaced the ILS which was damaged by an aircraft in 2018 at the Port Harcourt airport.

    According to him, the flight commissioning handled by Omni-Blue Aviation ltd indicated that the newly installed landing aids are operating at optimal capacity.

    He assured that installation of CAT II ILS would commence at Maiduguri, Jos and Minna airports soon.

    On staff welfare, Akinkuotu said that the management said the agency had concluded plans to enroll NAMA staff in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to ensure a healthy and productive workforce,.

    He assured the staff that the contentious issue of review of Condition of Service (COS) was being handled and would soon be concluded by government.

    The NAMA boss expressed gratitude to management and staff of the agency for the support and cooperation accorded him since he assumed office two years ago.

    He noted that whatever successes his administration had recorded could not have been without the individual and collective effort of NAMA workers.

    While cautioning staff to desist from frivolous expenses, he enjoined them to put in more effort to move NAMA to the next level, adding that the agency would honour deserving members of staff with special awards.

  • NAAE wants more engineers licensed, trained

    Members of the National Association of Air Traffic Engineers (NAAE) have called for the training of its personnel in the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency NAMA to enable them get licensed.

    The President of the NAAE Engr Ishaya Dung while heralding the association’s Annual General Meeting said a large number of Air Traffic Engineers engineers in NAMA were yet to be licensed as a result of lack of training associated with paucity of funds.

    Engr Dung explained that as professionals, ATSEP licensing, rating of personnel and training remained their greatest challenge saying that they have not had enough training.

    According to Engr Dung, Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel (ATSEP) is an ICAO term for the technical staff involved with the creation and support of the ground-based electronic hardware and software systems used to support air navigation and Air Traffic Management.

    He noted that after training at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology Zaria, the engineers will be licensed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority

    Though he revealed that some have been trained, Dung noted that more needed to be trained adding that they were over 400 NAAE members
    across the country with some getting licensed.

    Speaking on the choice of the 2018 theme ‘Aviation Safety – ATSEP Link, the NAAE boss said there was need for all the professional bodies in NAMA to work assiduously in order to achieve one goal of ensuring safety of the airspace adding that NAAE remained the bridge between Pilots and air traffic controllers.

    Engr Dung while commending the Management of NAMA for the provision of reliable and functional navigational aid in the country, urged the flying public to continue to have confidence in the system with the dependable surveillance equipment.

    “Our equipment is reliably, working well that is why we have successful take offs and landings virtually in all our airports but there might be a few challenge especially in the aspect of communication. But the government has done alot in the area of communication and it has improved on flights”

    According to the NAAE boss, the 2018 AGM of the association scheduled for 22nd November 2018 at the Airport Hotel will be attended by the minister of state for aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika as the Special Guest of Honour, Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode will play host, with various aviation parastatal heads gracing the occasion.

  • Sirika for NAMA forum today

    The  Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, will today lead a Federal Government delegation to Lagos, as the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) which holds its first stakeholders’ interactive forum for the year.

    NAMA Managing Director, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu in a statement said the agency would use the opportunity of the forum to enlighten its customers about important developments in the agency’s critical infrastructure and service delivery processes in keeping with its statutory mandate as the air navigation service provider as well as Executive Order 001 on the ease of doing business.

    Akinkuotu said the feedback from stakeholders at the interactive forum would enable NAMA to plan and strategically prioritise its services and procedures with the overall goal of consistently enhancing safety of air travel in the country, pursuant to its vision of being one of the leading Air Navigation Service Providers in the world.

  • NAMA installs equipment

    To ensure aircraft’s smooth landing during inclement   weather, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) is installing Category III Instruments of Landing Systems (ILS)  in Abuja and Lagos airports in pilot scheme for the projects.

    NAMA Managing Director Capt Fola Akinkuotu, who  disclosed this in an interview during the Airport Business Summit and Expo (ABSE) in Abuja, said the installation of the equipment was to tackle the problem encountered by pilots during the harmattan while trying to land.

    Akinkuotu said the installation of Doppler Very Ominidirectional Range ( VOR) and distance measuring equipment were ongoing at 14 airports to replace the old ones.

    According to NAMA boss, multi-lateration system have been deployed to the Niger Delta region to take care of helicopters flying in the area.

    Also installed by NAMA include a back up radio in Kano and Lagos  Airports. He said vigorous training for air traffic controllers and engineers were being carried out in order to be at breast with current developments.

    Akinkuotu revealed that NAMA has taken steps to ensure seamless flight operations in the country’s airspace, stressing that the airspace was very safe.

    He, however, noted that unmanned area remote vehicle remained a great challenge to air safety across the globe.

  • NAMA eyes industrial harmony

    NAMA eyes industrial harmony

    The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) is set to achieve industrial harmony as its management has held an engagement forum with the Joint Aviation Trade Unions.

    The unions include National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Association of Air Traffic Controllers (NATCA), National Association of Aeronautical Engineers (NAAE), Aeronatical Information Management Association of Nigeria (AIMA) and National Aeronautical Communication Association of Nigeria (NACAN), and Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees ( ACUPTRE).

    The forum, which held at the corporate headquarters of the airspace agency, provided an opportunity for the agency’s team, led by Captain Fola Akinkuotu, to engage the leadership of aviation unions on how to forestall industrial unrest and examine issues bordering on non conclusive conditions of service, poor salaries as a result of non implementation of the National Wages and Salaries Commission approval for NAMA to operate same salary structure with Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), since 2003.

    The meeting, a source said, was the first time Akinkuotu met with trade and professional unions after one year in office.

    Led by the National President of NUATE, Comrade Mohammed Dauda Safiyanu , the meeting offered a robust window for NAMA management to resolve mistrust that existed in the agency occasioning lack of trust.

    According to Safiyanu , the meeting also provided opportunity for NAMA management to leverage capacity building, foster training and promotion of personnel of the agency to eliminate low work morale.

  • FELICIA AGUBATA: Competence defines today’s woman

    FELICIA AGUBATA: Competence defines today’s woman

    Practising engineering as a woman in a country like ours can be challenging, but for Felicia Agubata, no course is men’s reserve. She is currently a Chief Engineer at the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Incoming President, Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN). Her exceptional skills and work ethics have earned her letters of commendation from the agency. Agubata, who is also a recipient of two aviation scholarships, in this encounter with Omolara Akintoye, said getting to the top in the engineering profession has nothing to do with gender… Excerpts

    WHAT inspired you to study what can be considered a man’s course, engineering, and how did you cope?

    I have a natural flair for mathematics. Engineering offered me the platform to ventilate this flair and my inclination to problem-solving in a structured manner. No course is a man’s exclusive.

    What is it like practising engineering in a country like ours?

    It is challenging, to the extent that progress is slow as is the case in most third world environments. However, we still experience pockets of excellence and commitment to best practices in some facilities and platforms.

    Tell us about your growing up

    I was born into the family of the late Mr. Alfred and Mrs. Nwoye Agubata of Enugwu-Ukwu in Anambra State. I bagged a B. Eng. Computer Science and Engineering with Second Class Upper Division. I also obtained a Masters in Communication Engineering (M.ENG) degree in 2014 from the same school and presently pursuing a doctorate degree in the same field.  There was no drama to my growing up. I am from a regular background and not “silver spooned”. I experienced hardship but uncles and cousins were very helpful because theysaw me as well behaved. My academic performance endeared me to them and they took interest in me.

    My eventful career in the aviation sector commenced in 2002 when I joined the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (an Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) responsible for managing the airspace through the provision, installation and maintenance of navigational aids, communication equipment and surveillance system) as an Electrical Engineer 11. I have served in various capacities including Special Project Officer (SPO) for the rehabilitation of thirteen control towers in Nigeria, Coordinator Project Management Officer, among others. I’m presently a Chief Engineer at the agency.

    How were you able to compete favourably with your male   counterparts?

    Standards are not established with gender in mind. It is either you are up to it or you are not. Permit me a little immodesty here, I am up to it. It has nothing to do with gender. Engineering is my calling. I am gender-blind when it comes to performance and standards.

    What distinguished you among your colleagues?

    Nothing really; efforts and commitment can make the difference though. I have a personal commitment to learning and continuous improvement.

    Your success stories

    I am a work in progress. I can look back and take pride in the fact that I have departed base but my destination is still a bit far. So I am in transit, figuratively speaking. I am sure that God being my helper, I will arrive my destination safely. I will not wait for luck. I will work for my luck and then pray.

    What were the challenges encountered and how you were able to overcome them?

    As an engineer, I relish challenges. They are stepping stones.

    Every challenge is an experience that comes with useful lessons. Hard work, being methodical and detailed have been useful tools and of course my natural ability to learn from those who are better and more experienced than me.

    Why is it that there aren’t enough women in the engineering profession?

    Of course there is, and there will always be the misconception that engineering is for the guys. Lately, a lot of women are enlisting in the engineering profession. The numbers are looking better than it has ever been. The prospect of going forward is even more exciting.

    Any effort on the part of APWEN to increase the number of women in the engineering profession?

    We engage in a lot of activities geared towards encouraging the girl-child to read science and engineering. These include career talk/fair at secondary schools; introduce a girl to engineering initiative. These programmes are tailored towards catching the girl-child young at junior secondary to take interest in mathematics and sciences. As a former chairman of APWEN in Lagos State, we organised lots of career talks at different secondary schools.  Some of the students we mentored are in different engineering departments in universities today.

    As the President-elect/Incoming president of APWEN, tell us some of the projects you will execute

    We will expand the “Introduce a girl to engineering programme” to cover the six geopolitical zones in the country, as well as the mentor/mentee programme.  My team will also launch the “invent it, build it” programme for young innovators. We intend to partner with corporate organisations and individuals to drive our initiatives and programmes that reflect our ideals and at the same time resonate with specific corporate bodies that show interest. There will be a lot of idea generation and selling to key stakeholders and the public at large.

    Advice to young aspiring female engineers

    You must believe in yourself, remain focused and strive for knowledge and skill because competence and skill will define today’s woman. Additionally, they need to learn the concept of deferred reward. Learn first, get the job done, demonstrate ethical behaviour; reward and recognition will come in due season.

    Final word

    Follow your passion; tell yourself that you are not competing with anyone but yourself. Be constructively dissatisfied with current attainment because the biggest window in the world is the window for improvement.  Avoid vogue exterior and vague interior. Keep yourself updated with latest development in your vocation. Be a hands-on person.

  • EFCC arraigns NAMA MD, directors for N2.8b ‘theft’

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was on Thursday arraigned Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Managing Director/Chief Executive Ibrahim Abdulsalam at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing N2.8billion.
    He was charged along with Nnamdi Udoh (still at large), Adegorite Olumuyiwa, Agbolade Segun, Clara Aliche, Joy Ayodele Adegorite, Randville Invesment Ltd and Multeng Travels and Tours Ltd before Justice Babs Kuewumi 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.
    Count 13 reads: “That you, Ibrahim Abdulsalam, Adegorite Olumuyiwa, Agbolade Segun, Clara Aliche, Joy Ayodele Adegorite, Randville Invesment Ltd And Multeng Travels And Tours Ltd, between the 1st day of January and the 30th day of December, 2015  within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sum of N336,803,308 property of NAMA, which sum was derived from stealing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”
    The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the counts. Their lawyers, who said they had filed bail applications, prayed the court to remand the suspects in EFCC’s custody where they had been held since February 12.
    But EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo, who said he needed to respond to the motions for bail, urged the court to remand the defendants in prison custody.
    “EFCC’s detention facilities are overstretched. Arrests are being made everyday. EFCC cannot afford to keep more detainees,” he said.
    The commission listed an initial 20 witnesses, including representatives of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Skye Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc and First Bank Plc, who will tesfify during the trial.
    Justice Kuewumi adjourned until April 12 for commencement of trial.