Anambra State intervention averts closure of state airport by aggrieved Air Traffic Controllers

Anambra State government’s timely intervention averted the closure of Anambra International Airport, Umuneri. Air Traffic Controllers attached to the airport, who are staff of Nigeria Airspace Management Authority, NAMA, had notified airlines and their colleagues at the other nation’s airports, through a radio message, of their intentions to withdraw their services from the state airport. The traffic controllers were injected from their hotel rooms where they have been housed by the state government.

The radio message read : “Any station/DATCO sending flight to Anambra Airport today should 1st confirm whether the TWR is operational. The reason is that all NAMA staff working at the airport were suddenly vacated from accommodations yesterday without prior information. Even those on duty are being asked to pay for their accommodations for last night. As at the time of this report we are all in hotel packing our belongs to leave. ” However, the state government has intervened and asked the controllers to maintain their hotel accommodation until NAMA gives them a rented accommodation.

President, National Air Traffic Controllers Association, NATCA, Abayomi Agoro yesterday confirmed that the state government had reached an agreement with the workers to continue to provide accommodation for them in the discharge of their duties. Agoro said : “Thank you. The situation is under control now.  The Govt has agreed to extend the lodging while the agency will quickly look for a residential apartment to put the workers”. Anambra International Airport is a state owned airport and the state government is mandated to provide payment for basic aviation services, including security.