NAMA insists TRACON facility working optimally, debunks contrary claims

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency says the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria project is working optimally.
The General Manager, Public Affairs, NAMA, Khalid Emele, made the assertion on Wednesday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that there had been allegations that the operations of the TRACON facility, which was inaugurated in 2010, was being hindered by lack of spares, thus posing a risk to flight safety in the country.
However, Emele noted that spare parts for the facility were regularly sourced from the manufacturer, Thales of France whenever required.
He explained that the agency’s Director of Safety Electronics and Engineering Services, Farouk Umar, was quoted out of context during his presentation at the stakeholders’ forum, held by the airspace manager in Lagos recently.
According to him, NAMA has regularly received spare parts from Thales since the project came on stream in 2010.
The General Manager added that the agency would continue to provide state-of-the-art air navigation services without compromising safety of lives and equipment.
Emele explained that as at August 28, NAMA still received spares and quotation for more spares from Thales, noting that the agency had consistently had discussions on spares with the manufacturer.
He said: “The intent of the director of engineering services was to highlight the fact that there was a delay in delivery of spares and not that there are no spares at all from the company. It was a misrepresentation.
“In fact, there has been ongoing discussions with Thales on the contractual agreement.
“So, it is not true that we don’t have spares from them. They are doing repairs for us and you cannot do repairs without spares.”