Twenty-four newly recruited air traffic officers (ATOs) of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) have been certified by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) after undergoing the necessary training and examination on aerodrome and approach control.
The managing director of NAMA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu who announced this in a press statement said the agency had obtained licences for the new staff adding that the training was done in a bid to boost the capacity and efficiency of air traffic management in the country.
He said the new air traffic controllers had been posted to strategic aerodromes in the country according to their need.
NAMA also disclosed that it had re-certified 30 air traffic controllers in different categories of air traffic control including terminal approach radar, area procedural control and area surveillance control after passing the required proficiency/rating tests and certified mentally fit in line with Annex 1 of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and part II of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation (NCAR).
Akinkuotu recalled that from year 2020 to date, the agency recertified 194 ATCs in addition to their periodic training and retraining, targeted at keeping them up to speed with latest skills and technology in air traffic management to ensure they remain competitive with their peers globally.
Akinkuotu further stated that NAMA had commenced the construction of aerodrome and approach control simulator at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Lagos as a pilot project to be replicated in Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt.
He said the facility would reduce delays and congestion in the nation’s airspace
He said safety of the Nigerian airspace remained NAMA’s cardinal goal and urged ATCs to continue putting in their best in order to justify government’s huge investment in building critical infrastructure as well as capacity of personnel.
