As the air of uncertainty continues to blow across the country ahead of a planned nationwide protest against bad governance and hardships confronting Nigerians, the aviation authorities have set in motion moves to ensure unhindered flight operations both locally and internationally during the period.

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has directed all the airspace station managers across the airports to draw up contingency plans from August 1st, 2024 just as the agency has commenced collaborations with security agencies including the Nigerian Air Force.

Speaking on the phone, the managing director of NAMA, Mr Umar Farouk Ahmed, hinted that a contingency plan has already been put in place to ensure the country’s airspace is open to users while the protest lasts.

According to the NAMA MD, “Our workers and unions are not in support of this politically motivated protest.”

In a circular issued to all the heads of air traffic controls and engineers by the director of operations, Mr Tayo John, on behalf of the managing director, dated July 29th, 2024 titled: ‘Need for Contingency Plan For #Endbadgovernance# Nationwide Protest’, with copies sent to all directors, all general managers in the managing director’s office and all station managers, the agency declared: “Management is aware of the impending nationwide protest scheduled to commence from 1st August, 2024, hashtagged #endbadgovernance#. It is important that contingency measures are put in place to mitigate the effect of the proposed protest on operations.

“It is in view of the above that all directors are mandated to ensure smooth operations in their respective directorates while all ASMs are directed to draw a twelve day’s duty roster for the smooth operation of their respective stations during the proposed nationwide protest.

“The head of relevant authorities has tomorrow, Tuesday as the deadline to submit the contingency plans to the director of air traffic services to ensure the availability of air traffic services in all the airports,” it said.

In continuation of the plans, the agency is holding a Zoom meeting with all stakeholders on Monday night. (Nigerian Tribune)

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