NAMA to Deploy Mobile Tower to Restore MMIA Communication

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has announced plans to deploy a mobile control tower to Lagos following the fire outbreak that destroyed critical communication equipment at the old terminal of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA).

Managing Director of NAMA, Farouk Umar, disclosed this while addressing journalists after touring the affected facilities.

The MMIA old terminal was gutted by fire on Monday with six injuries recorded. No fewer than 12 Air Traffic Controllers who are staff members of NAMA were trapped before they were rescued with a crane.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo had said the fire would hasten the demolition of the terminal which would be reconstructed with N712bn.

The NAMA MD who also toured the burnt building described the destruction as extensive, noting that the agency’s air-to-ground communication systems were completely consumed by the inferno.

However, Umar assured that Nigeria’s airspace remains safe and that flight operations have continued using backup systems.

“The air-to-ground communication system was completely affected,” Umar said, adding, “What we are using now to sustain air traffic services in Lagos are backup facilities moved in from other stations. Communication, aerodrome approach and air control services remain uninterrupted.”

He commended the agency’s operations and engineering teams for their swift and courageous response, revealing that some staff members risked their lives to salvage critical infrastructure during the emergency.

To restore full operational capacity, NAMA is moving a mobile control tower to the airport. Although an initial attempt to install the tower faced challenges due to unstable terrain, support from China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), which is reconstructing a new terminal at the airport, helped stabilise the site.

“Within a day or two, they were able to put the necessary support structure in place. Hopefully, by Thursday or Friday, we should be able to move the mobile control tower into position,” Umar stated.

While the agency has yet to determine the financial cost of the damage, it described the losses as significant, particularly the destruction of communication infrastructure and other vital air traffic services equipment.

NAMA reiterated its commitment to maintaining safe and uninterrupted air navigation services as restoration efforts continue.