NAMA’s AIR-TO -GROUND EQU
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has confirmed that the recent fire at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos destroyed its air-to-ground communication equipment, but assured that the airspace remains safe.
NAMA Managing Director, Engr. Umar Ahmed Farouk, stated that the agency has resorted to using backup systems to sustain air traffic services.
Farouk spoke after a tour of the NAMA facilities at the terminal Wednesday with aviation journalists
“We were in the management meeting when this incident was reported. I immediately dispatched the director of operations and engineering to come and sit on ground,” Farouk said.
He further stated that: “It was a huge loss as far as communication is concerned, and other air traffic services were really disrupted.”
Despite the challenges, Farouk commended the prompt response of NAMA personnel, saying they put their lives in danger to salvage the situation.
“Some of them actually put their lives in danger because they were supposed to run and leave their place, but they decided to stay and salvage the situation,” he added.
The fire, which occurred on Monday, also damaged equipment belonging to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), housed in the facility.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has announced plans to demolish the affected terminal and reconstruct it.
