The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has successfully deployed a Mobile Control Tower at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, in a swift and strategic response to the recent fire incident that affected critical air-ground communication infrastructure at the old terminal.
Speaking during the on-site inspection of the facility, Terese Ihenacho, the Director of Safety Electronics and Engineering Services, noted that the deployment marked a significant operational milestone, highlighting NAMA’s resilience and unwavering commitment to ensuring the continuity of safe and efficient air navigation services in Nigeria’s busiest aviation hub.
She commended the dedication and technical expertise of NAMA personnel whose efforts ensured the timely delivery and operational readiness of the tower.
“As you can see, the Mobile Tower is fully operational and serviceable. All necessary test runs have been successfully completed, and air traffic controllers are ready to commence operations at any moment,” she said.
Ihenacho further revealed that the Control Tower has been reconfigured to meet Nigeria’s unique operational demands, incorporating local innovations that enhance efficiency and safety. Notably, the integration of a smart strip system alongside the traditional manual strip reflecting a forward-looking approach to modern air traffic management.
“The way it was manufactured is not the way we are using it. We have restructured it to suit our local peculiarities. There is now seamless connectivity to Centrex and TRACON, which did not exist before. This is part of our innovation to meet global standards,” she explained.
In a bid to further strengthen operational redundancy and safety, NAMA has concluded arrangements to deploy a second Mobile Control Tower to service Runway 18R.
However, Ihenacho emphasised that the siting of the additional tower would be determined in collaboration with key aviation stakeholders, including air traffic controllers, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), to ensure optimal safety positioning.
She clarified that the deployment of the mobile tower forms part of NAMA’s broader contingency and resilience strategy, originally conceived as a backup solution to mitigate potential disruptions arising from infrastructure upgrades or environmental constraints affecting the main control tower.
Beyond technical deployment, the agency has also implemented critical support infrastructure at the site, including enhanced lighting powered by solar energy, reinforced structural bracing to withstand environmental conditions, additional power supply systems, and comprehensive security coverage with CCTV surveillance.
Ihenacho also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve the welfare and working conditions of air traffic controllers and technical staff operating at the temporary facility, noting that discussions are underway with relevant authorities to provide essential amenities and support services.
She commended the extraordinary commitment of NAMA staff, describing them as “heroes” who worked tirelessly under challenging conditions, often at personal risk, to restore operational stability, stressing that the successful deployment of the Mobile Control Tower highlights the agency’s unwavering dedication to the safety and efficiency of the Nigerian airspace.
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