Bandits are scaling airport perimeter fences into aerodromes — NATCA President

In this interview Nigerian NewsDirect correspondent, MATTHEW DENNIS, at the 50th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), quizzes the President of the Association, Comrade Abayomi Agoro, who explicitly speaks on the current security situations confronting the country especially how it affects air safety, manpower, air equipments among other issues. Excerpts:

Why the choice of the theme ‘Air Traffic Management, Safety and emerging National Security Challenges’?

You and I know what is happening in the country today. It has transgressed to an extent that bandits are scaling the perimeter fences at the airport, entering the aerodromes to invade the place and take some people for kidnapping purpose.

We have some equipment at the airport. How do we manage the situation we are encountering now, that’s why we chose the present theme for discussion to proffer solutions eminently.  We appreciate God that most of the resource persons came for their paper presentation.

The Honourable Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika was present yesterday to make some policy statements. One of the fathers of the association, Distinguished Senator Ebunahuala, was here to represent Senator Philip Aduda who was chosen as the Chairman of the Occasion.

We have representatives of Chief of Air Staff, Minister of Interior among other dignitaries. We had most of the Heads of Aviation Parastatals who participated, most especially I must appreciate the DG of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Captain Fola Akinkuotu  for spending time with us.

We know that this AGM will come out with a Communique to capture all these Security challenges in the aviation sector. That’s why we brought in all the Stakeholders from the aviation Ministry,  Airforce, Interior Ministry to have synergy to curb these menace so that it will not expand beyond this stage.

What some of your other challenges in the Aviation Sector? 

We are working in the air traffic control service, some of our colleagues working in various parastatals have challenges. We have addressed the issues of Nigerian College Aviation Technology (NCAT) staff who were poorly enumerated which we want the school to look at the contribution ATC school is making.

We looked at the upward review of these people’s salaries, because when a worker is not happy you can’t get the best out of him or her. The same thing in NAMA, we have addressed some issues with the management, with all sense of modesty.

I appreciate Capt. Fola and his team for having agreement with us on some principles and issues that we raised and they have taken it critically that it wouldn’t be delayed any further.

I want to appreciate our colleagues and the DG of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Shuaibu Nuhu for all the good things he’s doing and the Industry is well regulated.

We appreciate the DG of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Engr. Rabiu Yadudu for being here yesterday. We also laud the CEO of Accident Investigative Bureau (AIB), Akin Olateru who sent a representative, the sector is performing well. From a lot of incident and accident reports for public review, it is commendable. NiMET too, we’re grateful.

I think that we need to come together and give all the desired attention as the aviation is a key sector in any Economy as it can grow the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

What are your priorities as the newly reelected president of the association?

Well, we all have our shortcomings, but at times when you look at where you have more disadvantages, you can make the possibilities to be achievable. So I’ll advice everyone as we’re ready to give our best to the profession by ensuring air safety of lives and properties.

We should do the needful and work in accordance with the standard and recommended practice. But also Government needs to do a lot in the areas of training, staff welfare to motivate the workforce. Nigerian workers are highly dedicated, some despite the challenges still give in their best.

When you give a worker enabling environment to operate and enumerate him, you will get the best. We have a lot to contribute, both to the employer and the labour.

And I keep telling my other colleagues in the labour union that labour should not bring problems but we should also look for solutions and tell the Government this is how we can solve it.

At NATCA, we have always been that way. When we see any safety implication, we call the management and we’re resolving some of these issues.