The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) has expressed serious reservations about the optimal performance navigational and landing facilities at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.
In a statement in Lagos, the president of NATCA, Mr. Aboyomi Agoro blamed the diversion British Airways and Air France flights to Accra and Cotonou respectively on non-functional landing facilities at the airport.
“The sad event was occasioned by poor visibility and haze but more worryingly accentuated by the degraded state of navigational and landing facilities due to lack of calibration.
“We are equally concerned with the untold hardship the situation has visited on our members working in Lagos Terminal Approach position whose statutory responsibility is to ensure a round the clock safety in taking off and landing,” Agoro said.
However, he said in as much as the association appreciates the federal government’s huge investment in the upgrade of aviation infrastructure in the sector, “NATCA is nevertheless concerned about the perennial state of degradation of the essential facilities and working tools with attendant increased stress and workload which in practical terms translate to serious safety implications for the flying public.”
He therefore urged the relevant authorities to take immediate steps to restore the full serviceability of the navigational and landing aids to ensure an end to the “uncalled hitches” recently experienced and to prevent any recurrence.
“This is not the time to apportion blames but it must be emphasised that the time has come for all hands to be on deck to ensure seamless safety regime and prompt navigational services,” he added.
Nevertheless, Agoro assured airline passengers public of “our competence and preparedness to work with airlines and aviation stakeholders to ensure safety in our airspace.”
There was no immediate reaction from the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) which provides navigational aids at airports.
As of the time of handing in this report, the public relations department of the agency was yet to reply to the question NewsGazette sent to it.
