… Calls For ATCs Retirement Age To Be Raised From 60 To 65 Years
…Commends NAMA Mgt’s Efforts At Addressing Critical Long Standing Issues
The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has called for the need to urgently recruit and train additional Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) to man the country’s airspace, mitigate fatigue, ensure optimal safety and efficiency in airspace management.
This is just as the ATCs also appealed to the Federal Government to raise the retirement age of ATCs from 60 to 65 years like their Commercial Pilots (CPs) counterparts.
The President of NATCA, Mr. Amos Edino, made the call in an interview at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport(MMA), Lagos.
Edino pointed out that the current shortage of ATCs has resulted in excessive workload, prolonged duty hours, and increased stress levels, negatively impacting both performance and well-being.
ATCs, the NATCA President informed are often required to work beyond the standard two-hour shift limit per session, with some working four to five hours continuously due to manpower constraints.
He further expressed concerns on the proliferation of airports by the various state governments without a corresponding plan for staffing and operational management, thereby exacerbating the shortage of licensed ATCs.
He lamented the limitations of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, in training the required number of ATCs and also frown at the recent Federal Government initiated recruitment ,where over 200 cadets were recruited, a selection process he said was flawed due to a lack of due diligence in assessing qualification requirements.
He also noted that NCAT does not have the capacity both in terms of facilities and instructional manpower to train such a large number of cadets simultaneously.
The NATCA said that base on that, the current administration, through the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), sought the intervention from the Nigerian Air Force(NAF) ATS Training School in Kaduna to complement training efforts.
On the issue of remuneration, Edino decried the fact that Nigerian ATCOs remained the least paid in Africa despite the critical role they play in ensuring the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic.
He urged the Federal government to review the salary structure to reflect international best practices and enhance motivation within the profession.
Edino also expressed his concerns on the current practice of re-hiring retired ATCOs on contract, stating that a more sustainable approach would be to extend the retirement age from 60 to 65 years.
This, he said, would allow for knowledge transfer, mentorship, and continuity within the profession, similar to the ones extended to health workers and teachers.
He argued that Commercial Pilots(CPs) stay up to 65 years of age before retiring and advocated that ATCs retirement age should be increased to 65 years to discourage post-retirement contract engagements.
Edino also emphasised the need for a comprehensive health care package for ATCs, noting that prolonged exposure to radiation in radar facilities has led to cancer-related health challenges.
According to him, “There have been documented instances of ATCs succumbing to cancer-related ailments, necessitating immediate attention to mitigate occupational health hazards”
On the challenges of infrastructure, the NATCA boss lamented the poor working conditions at several control towers and operational rooms, pointing out that in many locations, non-functional elevators forced controllers including female and pregnant ATCs, to climb over 250 steps daily to access their workstations, with reported cases of miscarriages linked to these strenuous conditions.
He further noted that many ATCs work environments are equipped with outdated systems, adversely affecting efficiency and safety.
Speaking on Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems, he called for an urgent upgrade of the current surveillance system, the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) system, which, he e informed has exceeded its intended operational lifespan.
“Initially designed to serve for 10 years. The system is now almost 20 years old, significantly reducing its reliability, availability and integrity” .
“The long-standing challenge of the efficiency of communication system in Nigerian ATC operations also requires immediate modernisation for the provision of safe and efficient Air Traffic Control Services”
He further called for the provision of facilities and equipment to enhance coordination with adjacent Flight Information Regions (FIRs), and other ATC units.
He, however acknowledged the ongoing efforts of NAMA under the leadership of Managing Director, Engr. Ahmed Farouk to address issues despite the numerous challenges and commended the administration’s commitment to addressing these long-standing issues expressing NATCA’s willingness to collaborate in achieving a safer and more efficient Air Traffic Management System.
“This is a defining moment for the agency. If NAMA successfully resolves these persistent challenges, it will be a lasting legacy for the leadership team, ensuring that Nigeria’s ATC system ranks among the best globally,” Edino said
About The Author
