NATCA Calls For Safety Evaluation Of Control Towers In Nigeria
The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has called on the Federal Government to undertake a comprehensive safety evaluation of all Control Towers in Nigeria in line with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices.
In a press release signed by the President of NATCA, Amos Edino, after the fire incident at the MMIA Terminal 1, it urged the government to also expedite the completion of the Safe Tower Project, particularly at MMIA, to provide a secure, modern, and resilient working environment for operational personnel.
Edino said the incident called for urgent government action as it has once again exposed critical infrastructural and safety gaps that require immediate attention. NATCA leader explained that during the incident, professional staff of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Air Traffic Controllers working in tower position were safely evacuated from the 9th floor of the Control Tower using a crane in a well-coordinated rescue operation.
“In line with established safety protocols, NAMA, the agency statutorily responsible for the management of the Nigerian airspace took the proactive and safety-driven decision to temporarily close the airspace. Following the successful evacuation and activation of contingency procedures, the Agency also coordinated the orderly reopening of the airspace and the restoration of normal flight operations within the hour in a remarkable display of technical competence and teamwork”
He said Air Traffic Controllers and other operational personnel promptly relocated to the Fire Tower and resumed service seamlessly while Air Traffic Engineers worked with exceptional speed and precision to redeploy critical communication radios to the Fire Tower. According to Edino, the coordinated effort once demonstrated the depth of professionalism and resilience within Nigeria’s air navigation services.
NATCA leaders commended the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development for his exceptional show of leadership and commitment by flying into Lagos immediately the airspace was declared open to witness the situation firsthand adding that courageous and proactive action is a clear demonstration of hands-on governance, solidarity with aviation professionals, and an unwavering dedication to the safety and stability of the Nigerian aviation sector.
Edino commended the Managing Director/Chief Executive of NAMA for his outstanding leadership, prompt decision-making, and effective crisis management, which were instrumental in the successful handling of the situation. He commended him for the deployed Mobile safe tower in MMIA since the normal tower is closed for operations due to the fire incident.
NATCA President also praised Mr. John Tayo of the Directorate of Air Traffic Services (DATS) for the robust coordination across the Nigerian airspace, particularly for holding all inbound flights to MMIA rerouting aircraft where necessary and ensuring the safe and timely resumption of operations and All Air Traffic Controllers in Nigeria and most especially, Air traffic controllers in MMIA and other NAMA professional staff, for their courage, calmness under pressure, technical expertise, and patriotic dedication to duty.
“These are the unsung heroes who continue to safeguard Nigeria’s airspace with professionalism and quiet sacrifice.
NATCA specially acknowledges and commends the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for the swift deployment of its Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) services, the safe evacuation of Air Traffic Control personnel from the Control Tower, the effective collaboration with sister agencies during the emergency response”
“This display of professionalism, synergy, and rapid response was critical to the successful containment of the incident and the protection of lives and infrastructure.
NATCA President expresses its profound appreciation to all members of the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association, pilots flying within Kano FIR, and aviation professionals involved in managing this situation.
NATCA also expressed its deep appreciation to all stakeholders whose coordinated and professional actions ensured that safety was not compromised and that normal operations resumed in record time.
