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The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) effectively took off in January 2000. At inception, it was faced with the task of addressing the infrastructural deficiencies, which gave rise to the blacklisting of our airspace by such international organizations as IFALPA, IATA and ICAO.
Some of the deficiencies then included poor and inadequate communication, obsolete navigation and landing aids as well a collapsed surveillance system. In simple terms, there was inadequate VHF coverage of the national airspace. The navigation and landing aids were not functional most of the time, the six terminal approach radar stations were broken down and air traffic control service was not provided to en-route traffic.
To address these shortcomings, the Agency embarked on a number of projects which include the following: |
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The scope of the work is to re-align our networks with those of the contiguous FIRS. This will involve the upgrade and optimization processes similar to what has taken place in ASCENA states. The international gateways of Lagos, Kano and Maiduguri will adopt similar procedures.
For the domestic satellite stations in Abuja, Ilorin, Jos, Port-Harcourt and Sokoto, the upgrade will involve increasing data transfer rates to at least 1200 bands and the provision of additional value-added services such as a telephone network covering the affected airports, and facilities for computer network and internet connectivity, wholly owned by Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). In summary, the project is to achieve digitalization of the satellite links between Lagos, Kano, Accra and the ASECNA states and optimization of the national satellite links.
The optimization of the national satellite links has been completed in addition to the training of about twelve technical staff. What is left is the digitalization of the international networks.
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To improve communication, the Agency is planning to embark on the provision of Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSAT) to cover ten (10) Airports of Kano, Lagos, Kaduna, Enugu, Yola, Calabar, Minna, Ibadan, Benin and Owerri. It is intended to expand our existing SATCOM network.
Pending
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The Federal Government has procured a total of nineteen (19) instrument Landing system (ILS) /Distance Measuring Equipments (DMEs), fifteen (15) very high Omni-directional Range (VORs) /DMEs and ten 10() Non Directional Beacons (DBs) / Locators for installation at Nigerian airports and en-route stations. The installation process began in 1999. As a result of this massive infusion of new navigational aids, air navigation services have improved tremendously within the Nigerian airspace.
Seven (7) ILS’s have been installed in Lagos, Port-Harcourt, Abuja, Owerri, Jos, Kano and Calabar Airports. Those for Ilorin, Miaduguri, Benin, Yola and Katsina are under installation. All the four (4) international Airports of Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt are undergoing CAT. III IL upgrading.
Fourteen (14) VOR/DME facilities have been installed in Lagos (‘LAG” VOR - and Doppler VOR which is awaiting commissioning), Port Harcourt, Abuja, Jos (not aligned and not calibrated), Sokoto and Owerri.. Six (6) NDBs have been installed in Kano, Bauchi, Bida, Calabar an Port Harcourt and Abuja.
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The scope of work for the project is expected to cover the following major areas: |
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Full WGS-84 airport/obstacle survey and analysis for nine (9) airports and two (2) en-route stations. |
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Revision of all instrument approach and landing procedures in all airports. |
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Development of Global Positioning System (GPS) instrument approach procedures for nine airports of Lagos, Kano, Abuja, Calabar, Port- Harcourt, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Kaduna and Illorin. |
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Conversion of the 8- part AIP to the 3-part on an electronic platform. |
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Renewal of all AIP charts into digital format. |
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Supply of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) application software and computer hardware. |
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Develop Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) and airspace design software and data storage facility and capability. |
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Under the project, the training of personnel in cartography and associated software application, instrument approach procedures and airspace design, and AIP Text Application, has been completed. The conversion of the 8-part AIP to 3-part format is near completion.
The survey of nine (9) airports and two (2) en-route stations for WG-84 has been completed. The four major airports of Lagos, Kano, Port-Harcourt an Abuja, have been re-surveyed. The survey of Illorin, Bida VOR, Jos VOR, Kaduna, Sokoto, Calabar and Maiduguri has just been completed. Standard Arrival Routes (SIDs and STARs) and GPS Approaches have been constructed for Lagos, Kano, Abuja and Port-Harcourt Airports. They are awaiting flight check and publication.
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The VSAT projects covers ten stations namely, kano, Lagos, Kaduna, Enugu, Yola, calabar, Minna, Ibadan, Benin Imo airports. It is an extension of the SATCOM project. The stations covered will have telephone and fax links, direct e-mail, file transfer and Internet sharing with all locations where the VSAT covers.
Efforts are being made to ensure that the project commences as soon as possible.
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To address the the complete breakdown of the surveillance system, the Agency has adopted a two-pronged approach. The refurbishment of the terminal radars of Lagos, Abuja and Kano as a short term measure, while embarking on the total radar coverage of the Nigerian airspace in the medium term.
Presently, the terminal radars in Lagos and Abuja have been refurbished and are operational, while agreement for the rehabilitation of the Kano terminal radar is near conclusion. The total radar coverage of Nigerian Airspace (TRACON) project is designed to ensure effective surveillance of the Nigerian airspace using six (6) en-route and four (4) terminal radar and ADS-B facilities.
The tow area control centers in Kano and Lagos will manage the entire Nigerian airspace. The project has reached advanced stage of the award process.
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In order to remove the deficiency of the non-provision of air traffic control services to en-route traffic, the Agency introduced area control services on a phased approach into the Kano FIR in 2001. The service took off in Kano on July 15, 2001 while the Lagos sector effectively took off on september 15, 2002. This has enabled the Agency to implement the ten minute longitudinal separation in the FIR. |
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In undertaking the above projects, the Agency is to engage an ATM/cns advisor in line with ICAO requirements in that area. A detailed national plan for the implementation of the new system will then be worked out. The necessary coordination has been done with ICAO and the expert will soon be appointed. |
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