NATCA ASKS FG FOR SURVEILLANCE OVERHAUL ....COMMISSIONS NEW PORT HARCOURT GUEST HOUSE

-

 NATCA ASKS FG FOR SURVEILLANCE OVERHAUL


....COMMISSIONS NEW PORT HARCOURT GUEST HOUSE

​


As air traffic controllers across the globe marked the 2026 World Air Traffic Controllers Day, the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene and completely overhaul the nation’s surveillance and communication infrastructure to ensure air safety for the flying public.


​Speaking on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during the dual celebration of World Air Traffic Controllers Day and the commissioning of the new NATCA Guest House, the Association’s President Mr Amos Edino, highlighted the severe operational hurdles confronting air traffic control officers across the country.


​While commending Nigerian controllers for keeping the nation’s airspace safe despite demanding working conditions, the NATCA President raised serious concerns over aging infrastructure. 


Edino noted that Nigeria’s current surveillance system remains largely obsolete with critical coverage gaps, while Very High Frequency (VHF) communication infrastructure falls short of modern standards. 


He stressed that an urgent government intervention is vital not just for the controllers, but for the overall safety of all air passengers.


​In a major milestone for the association, NATCA also officially commissioned its new 9-room ensuite Guest House in Port Harcourt. Built to serve air traffic controllers, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) staff, and the broader aviation community, the facility is designed to alleviate transit and short-term accommodation challenges during official postings, training courses, and layovers. 


The association pledged that the project will be fully operational by the first week of December 2026.

​The NATCA President commended the efforts of the National Executive Council, the Port Harcourt Guest House Project Committee, local chapter executives, and the Airspace Manager in bringing the project to fruition. 


Edino gave special recognition to the ATC Project Manager, Mr. Samuel Oguniyi, for his dedication and sacrifice toward the successful completion of the facility.


​Looking ahead, Edino expressed optimism that the Port Harcourt facility will pioneer similar developmental projects across key aviation hubs, including Lagos, Abuja, and Kano. 


To further support controller well-being and stress recovery after intense watch shifts, the association appealed to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) management to grant them access to the nearby lawn tennis court and swimming pool facilities.


​The event was attended by high-ranking aviation stakeholders, including the Managing Director of NAMA, the Director of Air Traffic Services, General Managers, revered aviation elders, and past NATCA presidents.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MMIA fire:NATCA calls for comprehensive safety evaluation of control towers in Nigeria

-
Image
 MMIA fire:NATCA calls for comprehensive safety evaluation of control towers in Nigeria  The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has called on the Federal Government to undertake a comprehensive safety evaluation of all Control Towers in Nigeria in line with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices. In a press release signed by the president of NATCA, Amos Edino, after the fire incident at the MMIA Terminal, it urged the government to also expedite the completion of the Safe Tower Project, particularly at MMIA, to provide a secure, modern, and resilient working environment for operational personnel. Edino said the incident called for urgent government action as it has once again exposed critical infrastructural and safety gaps that require immediate attention. NATCA boss explained that during the incident, professional staff of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Air Traffic Controllers working in towe...
Read more

No Passenger Was Abandoned In London by Air Peace, NCAA Boss Insists ......Condemns Demarketing of Nigerian Airline

-
 No Passenger Was Abandoned In London by Air Peace, NCAA Boss Insists ......Condemns Demarketing of Nigerian Airline The Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, has strongly defended Air Peace against allegations that the airline abandoned passengers in London without accommodation following a flight disruption caused by a bird strike. Speaking to journalists in Lagos, the NCAA boss dismissed viral claims that passengers were “stranded” in the United Kingdom, insisting that the airline acted responsibly and in full compliance with aviation safety protocols. According to him, all affected passengers were promptly accommodated at the Hilton Hotel near Gatwick Airport after the operating aircraft suffered a bird strike that was discovered during post-landing inspection procedures. “There was no case of abandonment,” the DG said emphatically. “The passengers were taken care of. In fact, my wife was on that flight and they were all accommodat...
Read more

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,  securi...
Read more