Nigeria rose from the United States FAA category 2 status to category 1.
Once upon a time, the Nigerian airspace was under the category of one of the worst in Africa, giving a horrible depiction of the history of aviation in the country, and also as a result of the plane crashes between 1999 and 2005. During this period, the consecutive accidents of ADC, Sosoliso, and Bellview brought about a declaration of emergency in the aviation sector. However, things took a new turn upon the appointment of Dr. Harold Olusegun Demuren with the assistance of other aviation ministers.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) was able to tackle the difficulties affecting modern aviation regulations in conjunction with global standards. During the regime of Dr. Demuren, Nigeria was able to progress from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Category two status to Category one status, making Nigeria one of the top countries in the global aviation sector. Arik Air was the major airline that helped Nigeria attain the category one status as at that time with its designation to many destinations across the world, including New York.
NAMA provides navigation safety tools & tackles challenges.
While other agencies – the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) – are enabling the fast-paced progress of the aviation industry, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) functions at lower pace as it is usually slow to tackle aviation challenges in security aspects. It has been discovered that the agency is unable to function in the same pace as the others because it handles a lot of airports with only four of them generating the highest revenue for the maintenance of 30 aerodromes.
However, of the two fast-paced aviation agencies, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) stands out due to the excellent work of previous Chief Executive Officers. The current Managing Director of NAMA has also made the tackling of difficulties easier due to the availability of modern and seamless navigation safety tools. Prior to the provision of these navigation tools, the navigational facilities were seen as threats to air travelers due to their gross inadequacy. This situation left the sector in a sorry state as it was wallowing in neglection, corruption and poor planning.
Pilots used to complain of lack of effective radio communication coverage.
Pilots complained bitterly at this poor condition as it got worse to the extent that communication became difficult through the control tower due to lack of effective radio communication coverage. The sorry state of the controller or pilot VHF communication coverage of the Nigerian airspace was so visible that pilots resented the fact that the same navigational aids that worked perfectly in countries like Ghana, Togo and Sao Tome could not work in Nigeria. Nonetheless, with strategic planning between NAMA and the Ministry of Aviation, the Nigerian airspace is better with investment of about N30 billion ($12.9 million) for airspace architecture.
NAMA was able to control this situation by noting the complaints of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) and highlighting the many ongoing and completed projects for ensuring safety, efficiency, capacity and environment in all airports in the country. There was also a deployment of a traffic sequencing manager at Lagos and Abuja, with an automatic clearance delivery system and scheduled completion in December 2021 and Wide Area Multilateration Surveillance System for the Gulf of Guinea’s low-flying helicopters in February 2022.
New procurements & renovations in the sector improved Nigerian airspace.
Many other implementations include the acquirement of new mobile control towers for Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt; automation and completion of the Katsina control tower and Zaria control tower in September and October 2020 respectively; acquirement of flight calibration aircraft; renovation of the Safe Tower Project at Lagos, Kano, Abuja and Port Harcourt; recruitment of forty air traffic control cadets; renovation and reconditioning of the Total Radar Coverage (TRACON); and successful implementation of Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) in 32 airports.
Related Link
NCAA: Website
The content on AskNigeria.com is given for general information only and does not constitute a professional opinion, and users should seek their own legal/professional advice. There is data available online that lists details, facts and further information not listed in this post, please complete your own investigation into these matters and reach your own conclusion. AskNigeria.com accepts no responsibility for losses from any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of content contained in this website and/or other websites which may be linked to this website.
Fact Checking Tool – Snopes.com
That’s a good thing getting good recommendation and moving up to a higher category,thanks to upgrading to a better equipments in order to effectively discharge their duties for citizenry benefits.
This is a good development and achievement in the aviation sector of the country but lots still need to be done concerning maintenance and security in the sector because this is the first place of contact to anyone coming to the country.
The Aviation industry is a very prestigious one. I just hope the new industry overhauled will set up a beey good one. The sector needs to start performing like it’s other counterparts abroad.
This is a very good evelopment and good achievement in the aviation sector of the country. For upgrading to a better equipments for our benefits.
As a result of the numerous jet crashes, Nigeria’s airspace earned the dubious distinction of being among the worst in all of Africa.
It is wonderful that the NCAA was able to confront the challenges that modern aviation regulations present in conjunction with global standards.
The agency’s inefficiency has been traced back to the fact that it is responsible for so many airports, with only four of them generating the majority of its income.
Certainly, it’s to one’s advantage The current NAMA MD has also simplified problem-solving thanks to improved access to cutting-edge, intuitive navigational safety equipment.
The fact that the agency is in charge of so many airports, but the majority of its revenue comes from just four of those airports, has been identified as the root cause of the agency’s propensity for sloth.
As a consequence of the numerous airplane collisions that have place in Nigeria’s airspace, it has acquired the unenviable reputation of being one of the most hazardous in all of Africa.
It is important to bring attention to the many initiatives that have been completed or are now underway to improve airports across the country in terms of security, efficiency, capacity, and environmental sustainability.
Before the introduction of these navigation aids, the navigational facilities were considered to be dangers to people who traveled by air due to the fact that they were woefully inadequate.
The aviation sector is widely regarded as highly respectable and all I can do is pray that the reformed industry will give birth to a thriving new one
The aviation sector needs to start performing like it’s other counterparts abroad. Thanks to upgrading to a better equipments in order to effectively discharge their duties for citizenry benefits.
The aviation business enjoys widespread esteem, and everybody I have to do is hope that its recent reforms will usher in a prosperous new era.
In accordance with international norms, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) was able to address the challenges posed by contemporary aviation legislation.
Reconstruction of aviation industry is a nice one by upgrade and improve thing to provide better service and to be well manage this reconstruction will help to improve it
Pilots resented the inability to use the same navigational aids that worked flawlessly in nations like Ghana, Togo, and Sao Tome because of the appalling condition of the controller or pilot VHF radio coverage of the Nigerian airspace.
Although this is a positive step forward for the country’s aviation industry, much work remains to be done in the areas of maintenance and security, as airports serve as visitors’ first point of contact with the country.
Dr Harold Olusegun has done a great job in reshaping Airlines in Nigeria. One major factor affecting Nigeria infrastructural and structure is management.
So many restructuring has really gone into the aviation sector of Nigeria that to NAMA restructuring scheme and Mr Harold Olusegun for his great job.