With Our Enhanced Surveillance, Nigeria’s Airspace Is Safer Now- NCAA

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has assured that with it’s enhanced safety surveillance, the Nigerian airspace is safer now.

The acting Director General, Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo gave the assurance during the staff annual New Year prayers held at the Authority’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.

The prayer session is held every January 2nd. This year’s event also marked the kick-start of the series of activities to make NCAA at 25th anniversary celebration.

Speaking at the sidelines of the programme, Capt. Najomo said the Authority had enhanced safety surveillance because of safety issues which has made airspace safer.

“And let me be honest with you, what Mr. President has done with his Renewed Hope agenda has ensured that our minister, with his five key points agenda, has, of course, given us the opportunity to perform more. We are going to continue performing more. Our directors are on ground” he further assured.

“Anything that will make sure that every airline complies, we will do. You can see recently, we had to sanction some airlines and they accepted their sanctions” he further stated.

“We sanctioned five airlines because they refused to pay refund tickets and they have agreed that they will pay on time. So, you know, this year, 2025, we hope to see more and better” he assured.

Capt. Najomo also told the staff he’s focus on delivering on his core job functions and meet his performance targets and that he’s not distracted by sponsored fabricated fake stories to attack him.

“The attacks are not affecting my work. There are no distractions because I’m resolute in doing what I’m supposed to do. My confirmation is in the hands of Mr. President; and when it comes to the time, he will do the needful. For now, it’s not distracting me. I’m doing my job” he stated.

On staff work conditions, he said his management is motivating staff in the best ways possible in addition to improved work space.

“We will be fully digitalized. We also have the flight data center that is there. We have the CPD portal. We have the DATR portal to make it easier doing business and seamless too” he said, amongst other digital solutions the Authority has deployed.

Highpoint of the event was the hoisting of NCAA @25 flag and the unveiling of the anniversary monument by the Acting Director-General Civil Aviation (Ag. DGCA), accompanied by his management team and hordes of NCAA staffers.

Comrade Remi Aderinkomi of NCAA branch of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) said in a statement: “I hereby congratulate the Management of the Authority, led by Our visionary Acting DGCA Capt. Chris Najomo.

We celebrate the  passion, resilience and a purpose-driven focus to re-engineer and reposition the NCAA towards truly fulfilling its mandate and vision as one of the leading CAAs in the world.

The Ag.DGCA sheer audacity to make a difference and his passion in recognizing aviation staff as a critical factor in ensuring safety, security, regularity and development of Civil Aviation in Nigeria, is worthy of commendation by all Nigerians.

The union hereby calls on our members and workers to renew their commitment to the noble ideals of hard work and selflessness as they carry out their regulatory oversight responsibilities within the aviation ecosystem.

Finally, as we recognize that the path forward lies in collaboration, thoughtful engagement and unified action, we pledge to continuously work with NCAA management to ensure efficient resource management as well as the growth and sustainability of Nigeria’s aviation industry.”