The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has in the last ten months conducted an Annual Proficiency Check for 339 air traffic controllers in conjunction with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) whilr it has also conducted Promotion Proficiency Check for another set of 69 air traffic controllers.
The agency also between December 2023 to date has conducted the English Language Proficiency Check for 243 controllers in accordance with Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulation (NCAR) Part II to close existing gaps ahead of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP).
The Managing Director of the agency, Alhaji Farouk Ahmed Umar stated this during the annual air traffic management workshop of the agency held at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos.
The NAMA MD who spoke through his representative, the Director of Air Traffic Services at the agency, Mr John Tayo, listed other achievements of his ten-month administration in the area of air traffic management to include: a total of 87 air traffic controllers in the agency who had passed the NCAA Certification Examination Rating on Aerodrome, Approach and Area (Procedural and Surveillance), and another set of 91 air traffic controllers who got new or renewed Air Traffic Control (ATC) licences in compliance with ICAO Document (9426).
Farouk also used the opportunity to announce that as part of moves to enhance capacity, the Air Traffic Control 3-D Tower Simulator at Lagos Centrex was about to be fully deployed for use by controllers while efforts were ongoing for a replication of similar facilities in Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano airports.
While enjoining air traffic controllers across the nation to remain dedicated to their duties, the NAMA boss stated that the policy direction of his administration was targeted towards optimizing the capacity of critical personnel through training, retraining and capacity building as this, according to him, would in turn enhance maximum and efficient use of communication, navigation and surveillance infrastructure across the country.
