NAN-H-25
MoU
By Solomon Asowata
Lagos, Oct. 15, 2017 (NAN) The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Aireon LLC of USA on the possible deployment of space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system in Nigeria.
The Managing Director of NAMA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, said in Lagos on Sunday that the ADS-B was a recognised next generation standard for surveillance and air traffic management.
According to him, it is a critical requirement in preparation for the implementation of the relevant elements of Aviation System Block Upgrades (ASBU).
He expressed optimism that the ADS-B solution would ensure 100 per cent real time surveillance coverage of the Nigerian airspace.
Akinkuotu noted that management was committed to exploring every opportunity and relevant technologies that would ensure safety of air navigation in the country in line with world best practices and regulatory requirements.
Meanwhile, Akinkuotu has described the role of human factor in Air Traffic Management (ATM) safety as critical in the process of hazard identification and safety risk management.
The NAMA boss made the assertion while speaking at the just-concluded Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) Africa Conference and Safety Seminar win Marrakesh, Morocco.
He listed the human factors to include environmental, organisational and job factors as well as individual characteristics, stressing that they had direct impact on the individual’s behaviour, health and safety.
Akinkuotu said in ATM, any technological advances deployed to improve the system capacity, if not properly interfaced through adequate training and orientation, could lead to “operational error”.
“While these technologies are introduced to increase ATM capacities, the consequences of operational error caused by poor interface between systems and Air Traffic Control Officers outweigh the primary objective of mass production with the ultimate safety penalties,” he said in a statement.
Akinkuotu urged Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) in Africa to “continuously review work processes and procedures to further “tighten the noose on vulnerability of mismatches in the interfaces between people and technology to effectively trap operational errors.”(NAN)
ASO/DA
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(Editing by Dele Akinsola)