Airspace agency defends radar coverage

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency has condemned criticisms faulting the nationwide functionality of the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) project.

Describing critics of the radar system as “detractors”, the agency, over the weekend, stated that the country’s airspace is completely under surveillance, adding that President Goodluck Jonathan, during the commissioning of the project, was given the opportunity to speak with various pilots on transit directly from the Kano Airport control tower. “The president communicated with pilots in Nigeria’s airspace and with some other pilots across the airspace of Niger Republic,” said Abubakar Baraje, the board Chairman of the agency, during a briefing with journalists at the organisation’s headquarters in Lagos.

Mr Baraje said that the system, which is one of the best in the region, has the ability to cut across borders. “The TRACON can capture across our borders to countries like Niger Republic, Sudan and Cameroun,” he said. “What else are detractors seeking? For we are aware of controversies generated over the TRACON that it wasn’t the total radar that was commissioned, which of course is completely far from the truth. It is not responsible for NAMA to commission a half baked equipment or bring the president to commission something that is not complete. The installation and operation of the equipment comes in phases and all the phases are completed and are superbly functioning.”

The critics’ view

Some experts in the industry have criticised the completion and commissioning of the project on the grounds that the system does not operate in some locations in the country; a situation which prompted members of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, headed by Bethel Amadi, to embark on a fact finding mission to the Kano radar site two weeks ago. “This project should not be used for political games,” said Mr Amadi. “Those who are busy spreading this falsehood should rethink about the implications for our national image and external investors in the aviation sector of the economy.”

Late October, Mr Jonathan commissioned the complete and operational Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria project in Abuja. “I hope these detractors will have a change of heart; and if they don’t, the agency will move ahead without them,” said Mr Baraje.


Source:234next