The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has conducted validation flights of Instrument Flight Procedures at all the international airports in Nigeria to ensure compliance with International Civil Aviation ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).
This is coming ahead of the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) expected to commence by the end of the month.
A statement from NAMA says the agency has rounded off calibration of navigational aids at major airports in the country and commissioned newly installed ones in Maiduguri and Minna airports.
In the statement, the Managing Director of NAMA, Engr Tayib Odunowo said all required documents like Aeronautical Information Publications (AIP), Operation Manuals, MOUs with other agencies including:
Military and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) have been reviewed and forwarded to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for approval. He also noted that critical manpower has been boosted at major airports across the country.
He also expressed satisfaction with the preparedness and compliance level of the agency ahead of the audit, noting with delight the dedication to duty and commitment of staff of the agency towards ensuring that all identified gaps in the safety-critical and operational areas were being closed.
The NAMA boss also reiterated the need for units and departments to work in synergy and harmony, saying “only a united NAMA can ensure we attain our set goals and objectives.”
The facilities inspected include the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) sites, control towers, mobile control towers, Air Traffic Control 3-D Tower Simulator at Centrex Lagos, as well as administrative offices.
Other facilities assessed were ongoing projects where Odunowo charged contractors to ensure speedy completion of work.
Meanwhile, the MAMA boss and his management team are billed to also visit Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa and Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu in the next few days, in continuation of the facility assessment tour.
Recall that The NAMA MD alongside his management team, already inspected navigational aids at the Mallam Aminu Kano Airport, Kano, Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
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