.. Commends NACAN’s ingenuity
The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki has assured that the state government will collaborate with the Management of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency NAMA in the final installation of navigation aids to ensure night landing at the Benin airport
Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the 5th Annual General Meeting of the National Airtraffic Communicators Association of Nigeria (NACAN) over the weekend in Benin City, Governor Obaseki appealed to members of NACAN to support the government and the people of the state to make Benin airport more viable with the commencement of night flight operations soon.
According to the governor, the Benin airport remained one of the first five airports in the country with rapid passenger growth, adding
that the country with almost 200 million people create huge market for aviation with only about one percent traveling by air transport, still remained high in the continent when compared with other countries.
He charged NACAN members to avail themselves of the benefit of regular training to come up with the best practices to be abreast with happenings across the globe and proffer solutions to challenges in the aviation industry in the country.
“I want to thank Capt Akinkuotu for the work he is doing in Benin airport, he has worked very closely with us to ensure thst we have night landing facilities and ILS in Benin airport. That’s one of the reasons why I personally decided to attend this event to express the gratitude of Edo people to him and to NAMA for all the support ”
“Why we are working to improve on our air transport system, so much is requires from the air traffic Communicators, if out country is to achieve a culture of safety regularity, efficiency and economical operations of the air navigation industry in line with the provision of ICAO”
Governor Obaseki commended President Buhari for completion and inauguration of port Harcourt International Airport abandoned for years.
In his address of welcome, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency NAMA, Captain Fola Akinkuotu emphasized that aviation professionals remained pillars for air safety adding that without them, techonoly and regulations alone cannot produce results.
Captain Akinkuotu who was represented by his Technical Adviser, Mr. Ayodele Otitolaye said NAMA was committed to training and retraining for its workforce within the limit of available resources.
He thanked Governor Obaseki in his determination to ensure that the aeronautical Communication to flight safety was not working and appreciated his support for the safety of airspace.
The National president of NACAN, Comrade Nkambo George in his speech said, the Federal government had engaged some staff in their department to boost manpower needs but requested for additional 50 staff on as over 26 staff disengaged this year haven attained retirement age.
According to Nkambo, 40 staff have been approved for their initial training at the Nigerian college of aviation technology Zaria by the Managing director of NAMA thereby addressing what used to cause tension, agitation and ill feelings among professionals in the agency.
