The Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA) has firmly stated that the Nigerian airspace is comprehensively covered by radar, dismissing recent claims to the contrary.
This assurance was made in a statement signed by the Managing Director of NAMA, Mr. Ahmed Farouk, on Saturday in Lagos.
Farouk addressed and refuted allegations made by a blogger, who claimed that an unidentified aircraft had been spotted at the Presidential Villa in Abuja without detection. He described these claims as false and misleading.
“The agency hereby wishes to state that the claim that the Nigerian airspace is not covered by radar is false and misleading. The radar stations in Nigeria (Kano, Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt) are serviceable,” Farouk stated.
He emphasized that radar services for both terminal and enroute flights are fully operational and that these services provide essential air navigation support to airspace users.
Farouk also mentioned ongoing upgrades to the TRACON system to enhance air traffic management services.
Farouk further explained that the term “unidentified” aircraft is a security terminology. “In real terms, the aircraft in question is known, but only to the ATC.
The violation was in the interest of safety, as a result of adverse weather (serious thunderstorm) on the said date,” he clarified.
He also addressed a circular issued by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), explaining that it serves to guide airlines from straying into prohibited or restricted areas of the Nigerian airspace.
He criticized the blogger’s understanding of the surveillance systems, noting, “It is obvious that the journalist in question does not understand the workings of the surveillance systems, hence his misconstrued and misguided information on primary and secondary radar.”
Farouk assured the public of NAMA’s commitment to maintaining sustainable welfare packages for its staff, particularly Air Traffic Controllers.
He reiterated the agency’s dedication to providing safe, effective, economic, and efficient air navigation services in Nigeria.
“We are pleased to say that the Nigerian airspace is safe and secured,” Farouk concluded, affirming the existence of robust civil and military coordination and collaboration that guarantees secured airspace and air navigation.
The NAMA boss also emphasized the agency’s openness to provide information about their services to anyone who requires it at any time.
