Transportation

NAMA, DSS, Collaborate to Enforce No-Fly Zones

By Web News 429

By Nosa Aituamen

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, and the Department of State Services, DSS, are collaborating to address recent violations of No-Fly Zones in the country especially in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.

This is coming on the heels of recent encroachments of the No-Fly Zones by airlines operating in the nation’s airspace given that violations of prohibited areas pose significant risks to aviation operations and national security.

During a meeting in Abuja to deliberate on the issue, both agencies emphasized the essence of maintaining safety and security standards within the Nigerian airspace as well as adhering to International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO, guidelines, particularly those outlined in Section 4444 of the Procedures for Air Navigation Services – Air Traffic Management (PANS-ATM).

A statement by the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Abdullahi Musa, says these guidelines establish standardized procedures to ensure the safe, efficient, and orderly flow of global air traffic.

He said at the meeting, the Managing Director, NAMA, Mr. Farouk Ahmed stressed the need to educate airlines and pilots about adhering to established protocols, listening attentively to air traffic controllers, and maintaining stringent security measures.

The NAMA boss called for strict adherence to the prohibited designated and NOTAMed no-fly zones as published in the Aeronautical Information Publications (AIP) as this was critical in ensuring the security and safety of air navigation in the country.

In his remarks, the DSS Director of Security Enforcement, Steve Ojelade noted that no-fly zones were non-negotiable, stressing that any violations by airspace users could attract severe consequences, including potential military intervention to safeguard national security assets.

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Security

Gunmen Attack FAAN Staff Quarters in Kaduna Airport

By Web News 1158

Gunmen suspected to be bandits have reportedly attacked the staff quarters of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) at Kaduna airport.

It is not yet clear how they gained access but some staff living in the quarters who escape say families have been abducted, though the number is yet to be ascertained.

Sources however pegged the number at 11, including a staff of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, with his entire family; and a wife and child of a staff of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, NiMET.

Two houses were said to have been attacked and the gunmen later moved to the airside of the airport, according to residents.

’Immediately the attack was ongoing there was a cry for help that attracted the military personnel which led to a serious gun battle between the bandits and the security personnel…,’’ a source was quoted as saying.

An eye witnessed described the situation as bad and rough calling for prayers from all Nigerians for their safety as serious exchange of gun fire was currently ongoing.

Ongoing security meeting

FAAN spokesperson, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu said the attacks happened last night and a security meeting was ongoing.

She confirmed that a staff of FAAN, NiMET and NAMA with his entire family were taken away by the armed men.

She said the airport was not affected by the attack even though it was alleged they came in through the airside.

An unscheduled flight had landed the airport this morning without any problem, Mrs. Yakubu added.

Nosa Aituamen

 

 

Transportation

NAMA Distributes Search, Rescue Equipment Ahead of Flight Resumption

By Web News 747

Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has procured sophisticated search and rescue equipment to boost its aeronautical search and rescue capability across the Nigerian airspace ahead of the planned resumption of flights in the country.

The various equipment which are being distributed among the nation’s Rescue Coordination Centers in Lagos, Kano and Rescue Subcenters in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Enugu, Ilorin, and Sokoto, include plotting facilities, communication facilities, medical supplies and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) documents among others.

The plotting equipment include workstations for digital plotting and topographical maps for manual plotting. 

Communication equipment includes Very High Frequency (VHF) radios, High Frequency (HF) radios, megaphones as well as Search and Rescue dedicated satellite telephones which can work outside a network area.  

Other items procured include multifunctional photocopiers, laptops, printers, professional torchlights, status boards, computer desktops and personal locator beacons.

While ICAO documents include IAMSAR Manual Volume 1,2 and 3 as well as Annex 12 Search and Rescue Preparation Manual.

Speaking on this development, Managing Director of NAMA, Captain Fola Akinkuotu said the agency took steps to procure the equipment in order to enhance its preparedness and efficiency in Search and Rescue coordination in the event of any occurrence, especially given that the airports were about to be reopened to commercial activities. 

Captain Akinkuotu also revealed that in addition to the facility upgrade, the agency recently recruited experienced Search Mission Coordinators to be on 24 hours watch at Rescue Coordination Centers and Rescue Subcenters.

He added that dedicated telephone numbers and email addresses of the above Search and Rescue centers have been published in the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP). 

Nosa Aituamen