- Fix Lagos Airport Runway, Air Traffic Controllers tell FG
The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association has asked the Federal Government to intervene in fixing Runway 18l/36R lighting and the abandoned taxiway B at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos to reduce the workload on pilots and controllers.
The association made the appeal in a communiqué issued at the end of its 47th Annual General Meeting, in Lagos.
NATCA also urged the Federal Ministry of Transport to, as a matter of urgency, see to the completion of the construction of the abandoned new control tower at the Kaduna Airport.
According to the association, the new control tower should replace the old one which got burnt on April 20, 2014, adding that it will be in the interest of air safety.
In the communiqué, signed by its immediate past President, Victor Eyaru and General Secretary Banji Olawode, the NATCA said, it was important for all stakeholders in the aviation industry to develop a framework for stronger collaboration so as to achieve zero accident.
The communiqué read in part, “The association also encourages the Federal Government to come to the aid of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency to speed up the ongoing upgrade of the Controller-Pilot and Controller-Controller communication facilities as we ll as surveillance equipment to meet with the required standards for sustenance of air safety.
“Given the strategic importance of ATC to the safety and security of the national airspace the association considers it expedient to request government to consider the inclusion of the air traffic controllers for training at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies and the National Defence College in preparation for higher responsibility. “
Among other demands, the association also urged the government to accede to its request to create a dedicated grading system and salary structure in line with international best practices and also review the retirement age of air traffic controllers to 65 years irrespective of years of service.
