Air traffic controllers raise alarm over airspace safety

The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association has called on the Nigerian government to declare a state of emergency regarding communication facilities in the country’s airspace.

The association, in a communiqué issued at the end of its 45th Annual General Meeting held in Jos said there had been frequent radar failure and poor communication between Air Traffic controllers and pilots.

The communiqué, which was signed by the NATCA President, Victor Eyaru; and Secretary General, Banji Olawode, stated that the present controller-pilot VHF communication coverage of the country’s airspace did not meet the required standard and was therefore, a threat to air safety.

NATCA said poor communication remained a nightmare to both pilots and air traffic controllers, adding that resolving the problem would save the country from any form of embarrassment that could result from the current epileptic system.

“The inability of air traffic controllers to communicate effectively with pilots over the years has negatively affected the health of air traffic controllers. We hereby call on the Federal Government to investigate these claims by involving the end users and also request urgent reforms within three months. After this period, the Nigerian air traffic controllers may be left with no option than to take necessary actions,” the communiqué read in part.

This article was earlier published here