[Dateline: Lagos, Nigeria].
The Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) system, a vital component of the country’s air traffic control, is experiencing a critical breakdown, prompting urgent concern among aviation experts. Farouk Umar, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), has described the current state of TRACON as “substandard, “highlighting its deterioration from its former role as the primary framework for air traffic monitoring.
Initiated in 2001 and completed at a cost of billions, the TRACON project was intended to provide comprehensive radar surveillance across Nigeria. However, it has now shown signs of aging, with Umar noting that components are becoming obsolete and many parts are operating without backup, putting the country’s airspace at risk.
Umar also pointed out that the technology behind TRACON has been outdated since 2014, as the global trend has shifted towards more advanced systems. The absence of a reliable surveillance system increases risks in Nigeria’s complex aviation environment and could hinder the country’s ability to meet international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
In addition to technical challenges, NAMA is facing significant financial constraints. A 30% cut in internal earnings from the Federal Government has made upgrading the system difficult, and revenue generation challenges persist. Umar mentioned the current fee of N11,000 per aircraft for each flight as unsustainable and met with resistance when proposing an increase.
Staffing issues within the agency have also been detrimental, with a lack of manpower and limited training opportunities affecting the system’s operation. In response, Mahmoud Kambari, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, has committed to aligning Nigeria’s aviation sector with international standards, emphasizing the industry’s importance as a key economic driver and global connectivity hub.
Source: Africa.businessinsider
Original author: Chinedu Okafor
