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NACAN President:* *NAMA Should be Funded by Govt

By on March 26, 2011

For the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to perform effectively and carry out its different responsibilities, it would require about N2.5 billion annually.

The President of the  National Aeronautical Communication Association of Nigeria (NACAN, Phillip Aderosoye, who disclosed this in Lagos canvassed that government should fund NAMA to be at par with its counterparts in other countries.

NANCAN’s pronouncement came just as the House of Representatives threw out President Goodluck Jonathan’s request to approve N1.8 billion for the agency to procure navigational aids.

Aderosoye expressed  regret that even as the rest of the world has advanced to the digital stage, some of the agency’s operations are still analogue.

“Digital technology is the in-thing not only in aviation but in the world today. Unfortunately the tools available for the practice and delivery of positive aeronautical communication in Nigeria are still limited to Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network (AFTN) which has become obsolete.

This technology has undergone several transitions, first, to Common ICAO Data Interchange Network (CIDIN) and now Air Traffic Message Handling System (AMHS) in the concept of Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) using the protocol of Aeronautical Telecommunication Network (ATN).

It is not funny that the nation has not moved along this technological transition and development for unhindered delivery of services in this respect.

More importantly too is that our system still operates on x.25 while in some other ICAO contracting states their systems operate on x.400! You can imagine the level we are,” Aderosoye stated. He argued that the provision of effective and efficient air navigation is far beyond what NAMA can undertake without government’s support.

“Government must wade in to take a look at the existing air navigation service facilities, practices, and procedures and evolve consultations with stakeholders to determine user needs and constraints, including a pragmatic approach towards institutionalizing standards in the entire system. Funds should be released for proper re-positioning, re-engineering and re-invigoration of the entire aeronautical communications system,” he added.

Commenting on the possibility of Nigeria catching  up with the rest of the world in the area of equipment and capacity building judging by the present state of affairs in the aeronautical communication service, Aderosoye declared that this was  in sight.

He said, “If there are no changes in our approach to issues relating to aviation matters, there is no miracle that will work. We must change. We must work continuous. No nation will wait for us. It is incumbent on us to do things the right way.”

Source : Thisday