BY: OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) is leaving no stone unturned towards scaling the International Civil Aviation (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) slated for the end of the month.
In preparation for the vital exercise, the Agency has conducted validation flights of Instrument Flight Procedures at all the international airports in the country to ensure compliance with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).
Prior to that, NAMA successfully calibrated navigational aids at major airports in the country and commissioned newly installed ones in Maiduguri and Minna airports.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engineer Tayib Odunowo, who made these revelations in a statement noted that all required documents like Aeronautical Information Publications (AIP), Operation Manuals, MoUs with other agencies including military and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) have been reviewed and forwarded to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for approval.
He also noted that critical manpower has been boosted at major airports across the country as he expressed satisfaction with the preparedness and compliance level of the agency ahead of the audit.
The NAMA Managing Director who has, alongside his management team, already inspected navigational aids at the Mallam Aminu Kano Airport, Kano, Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, noted with delight the dedication to duty and commitment of staff of the agency towards ensuring that all identified gaps in the safety-critical and operational areas were being closed.
The NAMA boss also reiterated the need for units and departments to work in synergy and harmony, saying “only a united NAMA can ensure we attain our set goals and objectives.”
The facilities inspected include the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) sites, control towers, mobile control towers, Air Traffic Control 3-D Tower Simulator at Centrex Lagos, as well as administrative offices.
Other facilities assessed were ongoing projects where Odunowo charged contractors to ensure speedy completion of work.
The NAMA boss and his management team are billed to visit Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa and Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu in the next few days, in continuation of the facility assessment tour.
