L-R: Mr Festus Keyamo, Aviation & Aerospace Development Minister, with Saleh Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, at the sideline of the third edition of the Future Aviation Forum. Monday 21st May 2024
*** N40 billion has been secured for the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, to complete the long-delayed AIS automation project, and for migration to Aeronautic Information Management, AIM, along with its attendant immense benefits.
*** Training of personnel that will take charge of AIM, has begun in batches to facilitate a seamless transition.
*** Automating AIS will positively enhance the digitalization of most of NAMA’s Work schedule.
*** Digitalization will enable NOTAM, (Notice To Airmen) systems issued shall be circulated in electronic format.
*** AIMAN appeals to the Federal Government, FG, to rescind its decision to deduct 50% from the revenue of NAMA.
The entirety of bona fide members of the Aeronautical Information Management Association of Nigeria, AIMAN, have hailed thunderously, the Aviation & Aerospace Development Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, for pulling through the approval of a princely sum N40 billion to complete automation of the aeronautic information service, AIS, and complete the transition to Aeronautic Information Management, AIM.
According to the media statement signed by Evelyn Njoku (Mrs.), General Manager, Public Affairs of NAMA, the applause for the aviation minister was led by the former President of AIMAN, Comrade William George Ngerem, who initiated the ovation in his address to mark the 2024 World Aeronautic Information Service, AIS, Day held in Lagos.
The ovation specifically was in appreciation of Keyamo for facilitating the N40 billion intervention fund for NAMA, towards the completion of AIS Automation, the up grading of navigational aids, surveillance and communication facilities.
Ngerem urged Keyamo, and the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr Umar Farouk, “to sustain this unprecedented and renewed commitment to bringing AIS Automation to completion as it would enhance air to ground communication as well as attract other benefits to the Nigerian airspace.”
Comrade William George Ngerem also appealed to the Federal Government to exempt NAMA from its policy of 50% automatic deduction at source from its internally generated revenue of Federal Government agencies.
He argued that most revenues made in NAMA are merely for cost recovery in structure and not in strictly commercial profitability.
In his remarks at the event, the Managing Director, Engr. Umar Farouk affirmed that his management team would “leave no stone unturned in its drive to commission this laudable project- AIM- given that the integration of AIS Automation into the operations of NAMA, would boost our revenue generation profile,” he said.
According to the Director of Legal Services, and Company Secretary, Barr. Isemiuhonmon Rita Egbadon, who represented the Managing Director of NAMA, MD NAMA, explained that “AIS Automation will bring about Geographic Information System (GIS) which will guide and enhance our operations”.
Farouk explained that to have a seamless transition from AIS to AIM, “several categories of AIS staff had either been trained or were presently undergoing training on automation to ensure that the imminent takeoff is seamless”.
He further enumerated benefits from the automation of aeronautic information that, it will enable the digitalization of NOTAM (Notice To Airmen) systems.
The MD explained further that digitalization will help to automate weather observation systems and provide pilots with accurate data for operations.
Farouk added that the automation would enhance swift collaboration in decision-making systems hence, he noted “there is no going back on Automation,” he said.
The “World AIS/AIM Day,” is commemorated annually on 15th May. This year’s event with the theme: Efficient Data Management in an Automated Environment was celebrated at all AIS stations in Nigeria.
The Aeronautical Information Management Association of Nigeria (AIMAN), an affiliate of the International Federation of Aeronautical Information Management Association (IFAIMA), with its members domiciled in Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and Nigerian College of Aviation technology (NCAT).
The Fallout from the following election produced new national executive members, now led by Dr. Audu Ibrahim, national president.
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