The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has conducted a simulation exercise at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja to evaluate the country’s readiness for air emergency responses.
NAMA said the exercise was conducted in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations and involved multiple agencies.
Participants at the simulated exercise include: Nigerian Armed Forces, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Fire and Rescue Services, Medical Teams and
Security Agencies.
The Director of Air Traffic Services, represented by the Acting General Manager of Search and Rescue, Mr. Agoro Abayomi commended the agencies for their collaboration and dedication to aviation safety.
“This exercise aimed to test the level of readiness, strengthen inter-agency coordination, and evaluate response strategies in an aircraft emergency.”
“The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), in collaboration with our esteemed partners across multiple agencies, reaffirms that the safety of passengers, crew, and aircraft remains paramount and non-negotiable.”
“As we are all aware, aviation is unforgiving of errors. For this reason, exercises such as this are designed to test our level of readiness, strengthen inter-agency coordination, and evaluate our response strategies in an aircraft emergency.”
“Our main goal is to ensure that if a real-life incident occurs, we are fully prepared to respond quickly, effectively, and in a coordinated manner that saves lives and minimizes damage.
“This exercise is not merely a routine drill; it is a vital component of our collective commitment to maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety and emergency preparedness in Nigeria,” Director of Air Traffic Services.
Respond swiftly
Mr, Abayomi stated that the exercise aimed to ensure that Nigeria is fully prepared to respond swiftly and effectively in the event of an aircraft emergency.
“The exercise was deemed successful, but some gaps were identified that need to be addressed.”
“The participating agencies will use the lessons learned from the exercise to improve their response strategies and enhance aviation safety in Nigeria. The participating agencies also demonstrated their commitment to aviation safety and their ability to work together seamlessly,” he stated.
The exercise, however, simulated an aircraft crash emergency, and participating agencies responded promptly to the incident.
Lateefah Ibrahim