The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency has refuted assertions from aviation enthusiasts that certain aircraft flew over the Presidential Villa, Abuja without detection by the country’s radar surveillance equipment covering its airspace.
The Managing Director, NAMA, Ahmed Farouk, made the agency’s position known in a press statement issued on Saturday.
He stated, “The claim that the Nigerian airspace is not covered by Radar is false and misleading.
“The radar stations in Nigeria (Kano, Lagos, Abuja, and Port-Harcourt) are serviceable. Radar services for terminal and en route flights are positively identified and provide air navigation services to airspace users.”
Regarding recent concerns about the efficacy of the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria system, Farouk clarified that upgrades to software and modernisation efforts are underway to meet increasing demands for efficiency in air traffic management.
“Yes, it is true that the TRACON system, like any other electronics system, is undergoing an upgrade of software and modernisation to meet the ever-growing demand for efficient, effective, and seamless air traffic management services,” he said.
Addressing another point of contention, Farouk refuted claims about inadequate welfare for Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers, asserting that NAMA prioritises competitive and sustainable welfare packages for its staff.
“The welfare of Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers in terms of salaries and allowances is not in contention, as to suggest that it is the lowest in the world. NAMA, as a reputable agency, prides herself on ensuring sustainable welfare packages for its staff, especially the Air Traffic Controllers.,” he said.
Over the weekend, a blogger made television appearances alleging that an unidentified aircraft was observed flying near the Presidential Villa in Abuja without detection.
Refuting these claims, NAMA explained the recent incident involving an “unidentified” aircraft, clarifying that such terminologies are standard in air traffic control operations and do not imply actual unknown aircraft.
The agency stressed that safety protocols, including those related to adverse weather conditions, were strictly adhered to during the incident in question.
He said, “The reported ‘unidentified’ aircraft is a security terminology. In real terms, the aircraft in question is known, but only to the ATC. The violation was in the interest of safety, as a result of adverse weather (serious thunderstorm) on the said date.
“It is obvious that the blogger in question does not understand the workings of the surveillance systems, hence his misconstrued and misguided information on Primary and Secondary Radar. The agency shall willfully volunteer information on her services to anyone who requires them at any time.”
He added that NAMA remains committed to its responsibility to provide safe, effective, economic, and efficient air navigation services in Nigeria. The existence of robust, effective civil/military coordination and collaboration guarantees secured airspace and air navigation.
