BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Aeronautical Information officers on the platform of Aeronautical Information Management Association of Nigeria (AIMAN) have beckoned on the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo to prevail on the Federal Government to intensify efforts towards implementing the Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) Automation in Nigeria.
The former President of AIMAN, William George Ngerem, who made the call in his address to mark the 2024 World AIS Day, appreciated Keyamo for facilitating the approval of a N40 billion intervention fund for NAMA towards the completion of AIS Automation, upgrading of navigational aids, surveillance and communication facilities.
Ngerem, therefore, appealed to the Honourable Minister and the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr Umar Farouk “to sustain this unprecedented and renewed commitment to bring AIS Automation to completion as it would enhance air to ground communication as well as attract other benefits to the Nigerian airspace.”
He also appealed to the Federal Government to review its policy on 50% automatic deduction at source from internally generated revenue of Federal Government agencies and ensure that NAMA is exempt from it “due to the critical role the agency plays in the sector,” stressing that the “safety of air travel should be given priority over economic considerations.”
In his remarks at the event, the Managing Director of NAMA, Engr Umar Farouk disclosed that the agency was at the verge of flagging off the AIS Automation, having attained about 90% completion of the project. He affirmed that the agency was “leaving no stone unturned in its drive to commission this laudable project given that the integration of AIS Automation into the operations of NAMA would boost our revenue generation profile.”
“We know that digitalization is key to development. We know that AIS Automation will bring about Geographic Information System (GIS) which will guide and enhance our operations. It will also digitalize NOTAM (Notice To Airmen) systems. It will help to automate weather observing systems as well. It will provide pilots with accurate data for operations. It will also help to collaborate in decision making system, so, there is no going back on Automation,” Farouk said.
Engineer Farouk who was represented by the NAMA Director of Legal Services and Company Secretary, Barr. Isemiuhonmon Rita Egbadon stated that in view of the centrality of AIS Automation to the entire gamut of operations of the agency, several categories of AIS staff had either been trained or were presently undergoing training on automation to ensure that the imminent takeoff is seamless.
The 2024 World AIS Day celebration, which took place in Lagos, also featured election of new executives to pilot the affairs of the association for the next three years. In the said election, Dr Audu Ibrahim was elected AIMAN President along with other executive members.
Celebrated annually and globally on 15th of May, as “World AIS/AIM Day,” this year’s event with the theme: Efficient Data Management in an Automated Environment was celebrated at all AIS stations in Nigeria.
