NATCA Wants Government To Give Priority To ATM/CNS Infrastructure In Nigeria
The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has called on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency, address the deplorable state of Air Traffic Management/Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance (ATM/CNS) infrastructure in Nigeria as it is near collapse and invariably nonexistent.
In a communique signed by NATCA President and Secretary, Messrs Amos Edino and Fahad Muhammed Umar respectively at the 53rd Annual General Meeting held in Kano, the association also urged the government to safeguard ATC resources and staffing decisions (recruitment, training, and retraining) from political interference/pressures.
It wants the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) and the Air Navigational Service Providers to synergize/synchronize the design and tailor ATC training needs to enhance capacity, specialization, quality, and training frequency.
NATCA called for the Air Traffic Control training to be modernized to include reality factors (simulations) so as to enhance knowledge, test new methods, develop skills, and boost learning and confidence.
It posited that the welfare of Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers in terms of remuneration (emoluments) and benefits remained amongst the poorest if not the poorest in the region and the world in general and needs immediate review.
The communique noted that Air Traffic Control is considered amongst the most complex and highly demanding professions on the planet because of its multitasking nature and so involves stress and/or revolves around stress.
It therefore resolved and recommended that aviation being a critical sector (ATC in particular) and considering the nexus and direct correlation between funding and safety, the Federal Government should as a matter of utmost necessity, take steps to close the gap in the dearth of critical infrastructure such as Communication, Navigation, and surveillance.
Others included funding the procurement, installation, maintenance, and upgrade of a modern RADAR system, Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) in line with international best practice for seamless transition to Future Air Navigation Systems(FANS) in the provision of Air Traffic Services which are necessary for Safety and Efficiency of Air Navigation.
They want government to exempt the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) from the 50% statutory deductions of revenue from source to zero as this bears negatively on the Agency, hindering critical decision making; erode financial strength to develop and provide CNS infrastructure and train manpower; to ensure that the ANSP is shielded from political interference and pressure, especially in areas of funding, resource management, recruitment, training and retraining of staff for greater efficiency, productivity, and effective cost recovery.
It also requested to allow the immediate implementation of the reviewed fees, fines, and charges for services provided by NAMA.
It further called on the Federal Government through the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Management of NAMA to take as a matter of greatest importance, the review of salaries/emoluments of ATCOs (in the face of current economic realities) to meet international best practice.
NATCA said it will partner with the Management of NCAT and NAMA to synergize, strategize, and synchronize training in tune with modern trends in innovation, technology, and training to further improve capacity, specialization, professionalism, quality, and training frequency.
The association said it will liaise with the management of NAMA to achieve speedy resolutions of the grey areas concerning the ATC scheme of service and fast-track its release.
