Efforts by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to upgrades the country’s surveillance systems that will enhance airspace safety and its security has received needed boost as the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a planned visit to Spain by critical staff of the agency to inspect some of the facilities and engage technology solution providers to achieve the project.
NAMA has embarked on the upgrade of its surveillance infrastructure across the nation’s airports and other remote installations across the country.
Managing Director of NAMA, Engr. Ahmed Umar Farouk said the acquisition of the equipment from Spain will tremendously help to address security challenges as well upgrade the agency’s surveillance systems.
Farouk spoke when he played host to a delegation from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Abuja where he noted that NAF remained a valuable ally to the agency with regards to the safety and security of the nation’s airspace.
Meanwhile, joint training initiatives aimed at addressing the shortage of Air Traffic Controllers across the country were considered at the meeting as the Nigerian Air Force training center in Kaduna which recently got accredited by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) would see at least 20 NAMA staff being trained annually.
Whilst Farouk recalled collaborations between both agencies of government over time, the NAMA helmsman added that both have been critical to the sustenance of airspace safety and security in Nigeria.
He said “NAMA handles civil operations, while the Air Force oversees security. Our close collaboration is vital for maintaining a safe and secure airspace.”
Leader of the NAF delegation, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Abdulkadir stated that the force had recently enhanced its capabilities to secure the nation’s airspace with new platforms designed for national air defense and stationed with the Air Defense Group in Makurdi.
