NAMA urges FG to reverse 50 % deduction of its revenue
By Gabriel Agbeja
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has appealed to the Federal Government to reverse 50 per cent deduction of its revenue generation.
NAMA Director- General, Mr Farouk Umar, made the appeal during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
Umar said restoring the agency’s full revenue would enhance operational efficiency, ensure continuous training of safety personnel and address critical infrastructure needs.
“With adequate funding, we can fulfil our mandate to provide safe and reliable air navigation services across Nigeria.
“By reversing the 50 per cent deduction, we can significantly enhance air safety ensuring that Nigerian air remains safe and maintains high safety standards.
“We urge all stakeholders to support this necessary change for the future of our aviation sector and the safety of the flying public, “ he said.
Umar said the formula was not in the interest of NAMA because the agency required huge capital for its investment adding that it will jeopardise its ability to meet both national and international obligations.
“The current revenue- sharing formula allocates only 22 per cent of the 5 per cent airfare, contract, charter, and cargo sales charges to NAMA, despite our significant capital investment needs.
“Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) with less responsibilities as it stands currently is allocated 56 per cent while the NAMA with all its responsibilities gets 22 per cent, “ he said.
Umar said the entire aviation system is about safety and it remains sacrosanct owing to the fact that there is no parking space in the sky.
According to him, NAMA operates on the principle of cost recovery as recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
The NAMA boss added that safety procedures and protocols ought to be prepared and strictly adhered to while on the ground.
He reiterated that NAMA was entrusted with the critical responsibility of ensuring the safe conduct of flights in all phases within the Nigerian airspace including territorial waters in the Gulf of Guinea.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/Rotimi Ijikanmi
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