LAGOS – Engr. Farouk Umar and Capt. Chris Najomo, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Acting Director-General, Civil Aviation, respectively are among the two topmost Nigerians representing the country at the ongoing 14th Air Navigation Conference (AN-Conf/14), holding at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) headquarters in Montreal, Canada.
A statement on Saturday by Alhaji Abdullahi Musa, Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NAMA, said that the conference, which is a critical global platform that gathers aviation experts to discuss issues concerning air traffic management, safety, security, and operational efficiency would also have in attendance, key management staff from NAMA and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The statement hinted that the NCAA, as Nigeria’s aviation regulatory body, is the focal agency for coordinating Nigeria’s participation in ICAO’s global initiatives.
According to hm, the 2024 conference is with the theme: ‘Performance Improvement Driving Sustainability,’ and it’s with the aim of fostering global consensus on performance improvement initiatives.
Musa explained that these discussions are vital as they address how ICAO member states, including Nigeria, could adapt to aviation’s environmental challenges and the rapid advancements in operational technologies.
During the conference, technical experts would engage in detailed discussions, which are expected to lead to high-level recommendations in air navigation and safety.
These recommendations, Musa pointed out would be submitted to the ICAO Council for approval and eventual adoption by the ICAO Assembly during its 42nd Session in 2025.
This, he declared would significantly impact the future of aviation safety and efficiency in Nigeria as these global standards would be incorporated into national policies.
The statement quoted Umar as saying that the air navigation conference was pivotal for ensuring that Nigeria’s aviation sector remained at the forefront of global best practices.
“By participating in these discussions, NAMA is not only enhancing air traffic management capabilities but also contributing to the broader goal of making our aviation operations more sustainable and efficient,” he said.
A key focus of the conference has been ICAO’s long-term aspirational goal (LTAG) of achieving net zero carbon emissions in international aviation by 2050.
As part of these global efforts, Nigeria’s aviation sector is poised to embrace innovative solutions that align with sustainability and environmental goals, while ensuring safety remains a top priority.
The Conference also acts as a crucial building block in ICAO’s long-term strategic planning, bridging the gap between the 41st and 42nd Sessions of the ICAO Assembly.
The outcomes from this event would inform the ICAO Business Plan for 2023-2025 and guide the development of future priorities in the aviation sector.
The participation of Nigerian stakeholders in these discussions demonstrates the country’s commitment to maintaining a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible aviation industry.
The recommendations and strategies adopted during the conference would directly influence Nigeria’s airspace management policies and regulatory framework, thereby improving air traffic safety, security, and environmental sustainability.
NAMA’s delegation also included top officials such as the Director of Safety Electronic and Engineering Services, Engr. Terese Iheanacho; Director of Air Traffic Services, John Tayo; Director of Finance and Accounts, Muonemeh Ndubuisi; Director of Special Duties, Abba Ahmad; Special Assistant on Strategy to the Managing Director and other key personnel.
Read the full article here
