NATCA Decries Obsolete Equipment, Poor Working Condition

The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers' Association (NATCA) has lamented the deplorable state of equipment with which the air traffic controllers in Nigeria carry out their duties as well as the poor salaries and working conditions of its members.
In a statement to mark the international day of air traffic controller the General Secretary of the association, Mr. Akujuobi Martin, stated that available statistics has shown that Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers are the least paid within the African Region of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), worsened with outdated equipment with which they provide their service.
He, however, noted the uncommon dedication to duty by NATCA members in the face of this daunting challenges which needs to be encouraged, appreciated and reciprocated by the government, employees of air traffic controllers, service users and the general air travellers.
Stressing that to ignore the yearnings and aspirations of this professional group vested with enormous safety and public air transport security responsibility is not fair , he called on stakeholders in the industry to add their voices and lend their support to the demand of NATCA for better pay and improved working conditions.
Martin posited that the provision of air transport services is internationally regulated and all facets of the system including the human resources should be harmonized in line with global practice.
While decrying the global shortage of air traffic controllers, he noted that the world is moving into the implementation phase of new air traffic management technologies and systems meant to usher in unprecedented efficiencies hence the need to train more of these professionals to man the new systems.
NATCA is a member association of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' (IFATCA) Association situated within the African/Middle East Region.