Unions in NAMA oppose move to undermine control over aviation infrastructure

 Unions in NAMA oppose move to undermine control over aviation infrastructure

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) In- House unions say, they are against any  proposal  that  could  undermine Nigeria’s sovereign control over strategic aviation infrastructure. 

Consequently, the unions called for fair  review  of  the  Ticket Service Charge (TSC) sharing  formula  to  reflect  NAMA’s  safety-critical responsibilities and increase of it's allocation

The In-House unions made up of ATSSSAN, ANAP AND AUPCTRE declared that a time when the aviation industry requires professionalism, technical understanding, collaboration and collective commitment to protecting national assets, it is unfortunate that representatives within a critical aviation regulatory institution would advance a position that  appears  not  to  fully  appreciate  the  strategic  importance,  security  sensitivity  and international obligations associated with Air Navigation Services (ANS).  

Reacting to a publication credited to the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), calling on  the  Federal  Government  to  privatize  or  commercialize  the  Nigerian  Airspace Management Agency (NAMA the unions stated that such a recommendation raises serious concerns about the level of understanding of the responsibilities entrusted to stakeholders within a safety-critical aviation environment. 

They also sought among other things the protection of aviation-generated revenue strictly for aviation development, sustained investment in CNS/ATM modernization and adequate funding of NAMA as Nigeria’s ANSP.  

"Nigeria’s airspace is a sovereign national asset.  The safety of millions of passengers must never be subjected to poorly considered policy experiments.  NAMA is not for sale. Nigeria’s airspace is not for sale. Safety is not negotiable.  Fund  NAMA.  Strengthen  NAMA.  Modernize  NAMA.  Protect" the statement added.

The unions argued that NAMA is not an ordinary commercial organization created primarily for profit generation but a strategic national institution responsible for the safe management of Nigeria’s sovereign airspace adding that the agency manages and protects some of the most critical operational infrastructure and aviation information systems

Such systems include aeronautical  databases  and Aeronautical  Information  Management  (AIM) systems, Aeronautical charts and airspace structures, Instrument flight procedures and navigation information Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) infrastructure 

The unions cautioned that any discussion about NAMA’s funding must recognize its enormous obligations stressing that the agency does not merely collect revenue but continuously invests in invisible but critical safety layers that ensure safe flight operations.

"NAMA remains a critical national aviation infrastructure provider whose responsibilities have direct implications for public safety, national security and Nigeria’s international obligations. Any action, recommendation or policy direction that could compromise the integrity, protection, funding, operational control or security of such a strategic national asset should not be treated as a mere administrative discussion but must be subjected to the highest level of national security scrutiny under relevant laws"

They noted that the protection of Nigeria’s sovereign airspace is not only an aviation responsibility but a matter of national security stressing that any deliberate action capable of weakening critical aviation infrastructure or exposing sensitive operational systems to avoidable risks must attract appropriate institutional attention and accountability.

According to them, the consideration of increasing NAMA’s allocation to 40%, if implemented, clearly demonstrates that the Federal Government appreciates the strategic importance of Air Navigation Services and recognizes the urgent need to properly fund the systems that guarantee safe, efficient and secure management of Nigeria’s airspace.

"The proposed increase of NAMA’s allocation to 40% is therefore not an act of competition against any agency; it is an investment in aviation safety and national infrastructure. A regulator requires a capable service provider to regulate"

They commended the minister of aviation and aerospace development for the role he has been playing in steering the affairs of the industry