BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
To bolster the safety and security of Nigeria’s airspace, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has initiated a comprehensive upgrade of its surveillance infrastructure.
This upgrade according to a statement by the agency, encompasses the nation’s airports and various remote installations across the country.
It says President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sanctioned an onsite visit to Spain by key NAMA staff to inspect advanced facilities and engage with technology solution providers.
This visit aims to address existing security challenges and enhance the agency’s surveillance systems.
Engineer. Ahmed Umar Farouk, the Managing Director of NAMA, revealed this development during a meeting with a delegation from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) at the agency’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.
He emphasized the crucial role of the Nigerian Air Force as a strategic ally in ensuring the safety and security of Nigeria’s airspace.
“The collaboration between NAMA and NAF has been instrumental in maintaining airspace safety and security in Nigeria. NAMA handles civil operations, while the Air Force oversees security. Our close collaboration is vital for maintaining a safe and secure airspace,” Farouk stated.
Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Abdulkadir, leading the NAF delegation, highlighted recent enhancements in the Air Force’s capabilities to secure the nation’s airspace.
He mentioned the deployment of new platforms for national air defense, stationed with the Air Defense Group in Makurdi.
Additionally, he noted that the NAF had completed its day training and was nearing the completion of night training, which would enable rapid response and interception of any intruders in the Nigerian airspace.
AVM Abdulkadir also provided updates on the NAF’s improved capabilities to monitor and identify all aircraft entering and exiting Nigerian airspace.
He underscored the importance of continued collaboration between NAMA and NAF to sustain the current levels of security and safety.
Describing NAMA and NAF as “twin children of the same mother,” AVM Abdulkadir stated that NAF’s responsibility for airspace security complements NAMA’s role in airspace management.
He noted that the partnership is essential for the holistic management of the nation’s airspace.
The discussion also covered joint training initiatives aimed at addressing the shortage of Air Traffic Controllers across the country.
Adding that, the Nigerian Air Force training center in Kaduna, recently accredited by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), will facilitate the training of at least 20 NAMA staff annually.
“This initiative is expected to significantly enhance the capabilities and readiness of air traffic control personnel.
“Through these measures, NAMA and NAF are poised to significantly enhance the safety and security of Nigeria’s airspace, ensuring a robust and responsive airspace management system, the statement concluded.
