BusinessAddressing Manpower Challenge In NAMA

Addressing Manpower Challenge In NAMA

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October 24, (THEWILL) – ANTHONY AWUNOR writes on the manpower challenge at the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA)

Globally human capital development is fundamental to sustainable development of aviation. As a result, there is need for competent manpower to drive the industry at all times.

From reports, the international Air Transport Association (IATA) expects significant growth in aviation jobs, but the challenge lies in the shortage of talent acquisition, training and retention.

The aviation industry has continued to evolve and it is adjusting rapidly on multiple fronts. As a result, the demand for talent within the industry, according to experts, will assume corresponding dynamics.

In Nigeria, the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), an aviation training institution located in Zaria, Kaduna State, was established by an Act of parliament and charged with the responsibility of training pilots, air traffic controllers, aircraft maintenance engineers, aeronautical telecommunications engineers and several aviation specialists for the nation and the African aviation industry.

Since inception, the college has churned out graduates, but, even at that, there is still manpower gap in most of the aviation agencies, a situation that has created vacuums in the system.

In the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), for example, less than half of the required number of air traffic controllers (ATCs) is available. As at 2016, the Air Traffic Navigation Service (ATNS) of South Africa’s total personnel was a little over 1,000, air traffic controllers were 500, while only two area control centres existed. There were only 22 airport control towers. Whereas the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) total personnel was 2,500, the number of ATCs was 300, while only two area control centres was recorded. The number of airport control towers was 32.

In order to bridge the manpower gap, NAMA decided to convert non-technical staff in the system to technical, specifically to address the shortage of ATCs.

This occurred as the management also took steps to further engage retired ATCs to complement those converted and also promised to enhance the allowances of aeronautical workers in line with the situation in the country.

The Managing Director of NAMA, Capt Fola Akinkuotu, who disclosed this at the 50th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) in Abuja recently said that NAMA was worried over the dearth of qualified ATCs in the last few years. He noted that the management was alive to its responsibilities in the area of workers welfare.

Akinkuotu stated that government had provided funds for the upgrade of safe towers in the country and commended members of NATCA for their commitment and sued for dialogue in cases of disagreements to ensure amicable resolution of pending labour matters at NATCA.

In his remarks, the Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Captain Rabiu Yadudu, applauded the role of ATCs and urged other stakeholders to appreciate them.

Capt Yadudu also stressed the need for effective communication between the cockpit and the ATCs.

NATCA president, Abayomi Agoro, while welcoming the guests at the event said they were happy that the industry was coming back on track from the scare of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He reiterated their MAYDAY call for the review of the ATC scheme of service as the matter had lingered for too long, adding that it would be appropriate to revisit the issue to draw the attention of the relevant authorities towards resolving them finally.

Agoro stressed the need to improve the CNS facilities in NAMA and to review ATCOs’ retirement age as well as their length of service. He observed that matching the length of service with age would mitigate the shortage of ATCs, especially with emerging airports and airlines.

“Going by the recommendation of a committee set up by NCAA as captured in the communiqué released at the last AGM, NATCA in conjunction with the Directorate has formally requested an upward review of the age validity for ATC licence holder from 60 to 65 years. This has been granted by the DG and we sincerely thank the Authority for it”.

Agoro, however expressed concern over the seemingly stalled NAMA Condition of Service (CoS) stressing that, a major stakeholder in NAMA, NATCA drew the attention of the appropriate authorities to challenge of professionalism. He said this threatened industrial harmony within the Agency in the negotiated draft of the staff Condition of Service (CoS).

“We raised these concerns purely in the interest of justice, equity and fairness. The roles of every professional in NAMA and the nature of licences held by them are clearly stated in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation (NCAR) Part II. We therefore urge NAMA management and all the relevant unions to urgently address this issue”, he observed.

He urged the Management of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) Zaria to create the enabling environment to iron out the welfare issues raised by NATCA with the former rector.

About the Author

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Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.

Anthony Awunor, THEWILLhttps://thewillnews.com
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.

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