The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), has commenced the upgrade of the country’s airspace navigation system and equipment to meet current world standards and improve flight safety and time, the agency disclosed at the weekend.
Acting Managing Director of NAMA, Mr Matthew Lawrence Pwajok told journalists in Lagos that the exercise will be carried out across the agency’s multiple equipment in different parts of Nigeria.
Mr Pwajok disclosed that NAMA is upgrading the country’s premier airspace facility, the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) at a cost of N23 billion, 12 years after the equipment were installed in the country.
He added that the Safe Tower upgrade, which is ongoing, will cost the Agency N13 billion.
The NAMA boss explained that the TRACON would involve the software and hardware upgrade and provision of other amenities.
According to him, out of the the N23 billion, N17 billion would be expended on system upgrade which includes the Radar itself while N5 billion would be spent on upgrading Very Small Appetite Terminal (VSAT).
Furthermore, he said the VSAT would provide digital exchange of information at a very high speed and voice exchange of information using ground radius and air ground communication between air traffic controllers and pilots.
VSAT is a two-way satellite ground station with a dish antennae that is smaller than 3.8 meters.
