September 11, (THEWILL) – Members of the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), have threatened to shut down air navigation facilities in the Kano zone, over the disconnection of electricity supply by the airport manager in Kano.
THEWILL gathered that NATCA members are angry that for the past few days, they have been kept in total darkness, following the order of the airport manager to halt power supply to their offices and quarters of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA.
According to a source, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), through its airport manager in Kano, is unilaterally undermining other stakeholders, especially NAMA, denying them electricity supply.
The source, a NATCA member, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, further warned that there will be a total shut down of provisions of Air Navigation and safety services in Kano, over what he described as an irresponsible action by FAAN, assuring that NATCA will carry out the action.
“It’s not a threat, but we must once and for all forestall FAAN’s intolerance and undignified approach to civil aviation safety standards and recommended practice.
“How can a sister agency under the same governance be acting in a manner as if there’s no other authority or internal mechanism to adjudicate.
“Now he has disconnected both NAMA facilities and its staff residing in the quarters. As we speak, our people have been kept in perpetual darkness without any justifications. If by Monday nothing is done to restore back the electricity, we will take action.”
When contacted, the Kano airport manager, Alhaji Gambo Aboki Abubakar, said NAMA owes FAAN over N500 million.
He said, it was not only NAMA staff that were disconnected, others who were also affected have paid, but NAMA has refused to settle its debts.
“FAAN is not father Christmas, they collect money from services they render, why will they not pay us, if they don’t pay us how do we maintain our airport, the electricity company will disconnect the entire airport and this will not be good for us. They are owing FAAN over N500 million.”
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
