PROVISION of safe and functional air navigation services is a big business in global aviation industry. Therefore, managing a body responsible for carrying out this function requires a serious-minded and an astute administrator.”
These are the submissions of key players in the sector, following the peaceful atmosphere flowing at the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) since the appointment of the present leadership of the agency in the person of Mr Ahmed Umar Farouk.
According to the key players who spoke to the Nigerian Tribune, in less than three months in office, the present management team has being able to embark on the transformation of the agency through introduction of policies that have continued to enhance safety in the country’s airspace with focus on navigational equipments installed across the airports.
Speaking to the Nigerian Tribune, President of National Association of Air Traffic Engineers (NAATE), Mr Selzing Miri, who said the appointment of Farouk has brought hope to NAMA, cited how the first 100 days of the new team have been characterised by reforms and repositioning that will transform the agency.
His words: “We are expecting that with that kind of spirit, the agency will benefit a lot from his activities as the helmsman as he remained optimistic of positive changes in the days ahead.”
The NAATE president emphasized the policy of making paramount importance of flight safety and zero tolerance for air accidents with strict adherence to global safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), prioritising the safety and wellbeing of the flying public as the major factor for the ongoing seamless transition being enjoyed in the agency
“True to his word, Farouk has set the ball rolling and since his appointment, the entire aviation industry has greeted his emergence with excitement, with many players describing him as the right man for the job. Under his watch and due to the confidence reposed in him, the agency was able to secure immediate government approval for the overhaul and modernisation of the country’s airspace communication architecture.
“With such initiative, pilots are now happier flying in the nation’s airspace because the new move definitely ensures seamless communication between them and air traffic controllers. The workers are now happy, pilots now have more confidence and even the stakeholders can now sleep with two eyes closed because the man at the helms is competent for the job.
“Ultimately, the communication architecture of the country’s airspace is now broadened, just as he had already started to address issues that were before now difficult to handle by his predecessors.”
Corroborating the ongoing transformation at the agency, the National President of National Air Traffic Communicators of Nigeria (NACAN) Rabiu Mohammed Sani, while describing the coming on board of Farouk as the Managing Director of NAMA as a blessing to the Nigerian aviation industry being an insider thar have worked for over thirty years, mentioned the regular payment of monthly salaries and the palliatives to workers.
Since the appointment of the NAMA MD, the NACAN leader revealed how the management team has successfully declared emergency on power and prioritised Communications and airspace stability to pave the way for the “progress of the agency and enable it to compete favourably with other countries in terms of safety of airspace and efficiency of operations”.
The labour leader however appealed for the provision of needed facilities such as the AHMS and to provide modernised radios across Communications offices in the country.
NAMA as an Air Navigation Service Provider is mandated to manage the Nigerian Airspace to a level consistent with the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standard And ‘Recommended Practices (SARPS) and make it rank among the safest, not only in the Africa-Indian Ocean (AFI) Region but the world over.
According to the key players, due to the enormous role the agency plays which is different from other sister aviation agenices, much attention have always been given to the caliber of the management team of the agency in view of the technical nature of NAMA and secondly, the need to ensure practicable provision of services that would guarantee safety at all times.
“It is in line with the above and the Federal Government’s determination to bring world-class standards to Nigerian Civil Aviation, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Farouk as the Managing Director of NAMA.
Farouk who before his present position had worked as Director of Safety Electronic and Engineering Services, a position that he used to assist in the revolution of airport technology nationwide, saw him overseeing the installation of instrument landing systems in major airports and pioneering solar-powered navigational aids.
The two labour leaders expressed the optimism that the appointment of Farouk as the helmsman of the agency would enable him to replicate the good works he executed in Safety Electronic and Engineering Services as director to other areas.
Some of the recognitions the NAMA MD has received include: the prestigious honour of National Productivity Order of Merit Award (NPOM) conferred on him five years ago by former President Mohammadu Buhari in recognition of his contributions towards the improvement of communication, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) facilities to ensure safe and efficient traffic services in Nigerian airspace
Farouk is also Fellow Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE), Fellow Chartered Institute of Administration (FCIA), Fellow Nigerian Mechanical Engineers (FNiMechE) and Fellow Nigerian Institute of Engineers (FNIE).
Read Also: Tinubu writes Senate, replaces nominee for CBN Board
