The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) has praised Nigeria’s aviation leadership under the Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), and called for a safety evaluation of control towers.
In a statement signed by its President, Edino Amos, on Tuesday in Lagos, NATCA commended Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) and the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) for their leadership and effective crisis management during Monday’s fire at Terminal One of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA).
Edino stated that NAMA’s proactive decision to temporarily close the airspace and coordinate its orderly reopening within the hour demonstrated exceptional teamwork and professionalism.
During the incident, personnel successfully relocated to the Fire Tower, where engineers redeployed critical communication radios with precision to ensure services resumed seamlessly.
Despite the exemplary response, Edino noted that the incident exposed critical infrastructural and safety gaps requiring urgent attention.
NATCA has called on the Federal Government to conduct a comprehensive safety evaluation of all control towers in line with ICAO standards and to expedite the completion of the Safe Tower Project, particularly at MMIA, to provide a secure and modern working environment.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding aviation professionals and the flying public while improving Nigeria’s air navigation services.
During the coordinated rescue operation on Monday, firefighters successfully evacuated staff from the ninth-floor control tower using a crane, highlighting the high-risk conditions faced by controllers during terminal emergencies.
