Four aviation unions seek NAMA privatisation

A coalition of four aviation unions has called on the Nigerian Federal Government to either commercialize or privatize the Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA). The unions, representing various professional bodies within the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, issued a joint statement emphasizing the necessity of this reform for modernizing air navigation infrastructure and bolstering aviation safety.

The unions, including the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), and National Association of Air Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), argued that NAMA's current dependence on government allocations and statutory funding hinders crucial investments in technology. This reliance, they stated, limits NAMA's ability to meet evolving global aviation standards.

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The current funding model is tied largely to annual government budgets, often delayed by prolonged budget processes, shifting political priorities and bureaucratic bottlenecks.

They proposed that commercialization would grant NAMA access to private equity, international financing, and capital markets, enabling the deployment of advanced satellite-based navigation systems and robust backup infrastructure. The unions highlighted that the current funding model, tied to annual government budgets, often faces delays due to political priorities and bureaucratic processes, consequently slowing down essential safety upgrades.

Furthermore, the unions suggested that a commercially driven NAMA could make faster operational decisions and independently finance long-term infrastructure projects. They also raised concerns about transparency in NAMA's revenue reporting, specifically calling for public disclosure of revenues from airspace violation penalties and Extension of Service Hours charges to enhance public confidence. The unions stressed that aviation safety hinges on clear institutional responsibilities, proposing NAMA focus solely on airspace management while the NCAA retains its role as the independent regulator.

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Aviation safety depends on maintaining clear institutional responsibilities.