Nigerian Flight Deck Travel and Business Reportage
NIGERIA Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) has noted that the Chinese financed terminal building under construction at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja was not well sited calling on government to take a look at the structure again
According to the association, the structure was ill cited as it concerned aerodrome control saying the government should allow duty Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) a 360 degree access to maneuver the airport from control tower before commissioning the project.
NATCA President Victor Eyaru made this known while speaking at the 45th annual general meeting held over the weekend in Jos, also adding credence to one of the Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika’s recent statement that the Chinese financed terminal building was obstructing the fire and rescue services.
Eyaru who was expatiating on poor communication between controller/pilot and controller/controller communication at the two area control centres in Kano and Lagos, air traffic controllers in the country said the communication has remained a nightmare to both pilots and ATC noting that its resolution will save the country from any form of embarrassment that will result from the current epileptic system.
Eyaru noted that the nation was passing through recession but said certain critical infrastructural development that will aid the rendering compact services must not be treated with levity.
According to the NATCA president, the government should also rebuild the burnt Kaduna and Maiduguri airports control towers which was razed blown by fire in 2014.
Eyaru also noted that the Abuja airport runway has become a national embarrassment stating that it deserved urgent and sincere attention
