NAMA conducts training on simulation volcanic ash cloud eruption to recertify Abuja airport
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) on Tuesday in Abuja conducted training on simulation volcanic ash cloud eruption toward recertifying Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA).
NAMA Director of Operations, Mr Tayo John, said the tabletop search and rescue simulation training was mainly based on communication and coordination gaps observed during the first exercise in December 2021.
Tayo, who was represented by Mrs Hauwa Musa, the Deputy General Manager said the training was in compliance with requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
“In this second exercise, areas of deficiencies of the last off aerodrome full scale simulation exercise as observed were highlighted and areas of job well done were considered.
“It was a gap in communication that was very obvious- our VHF Radio failed at that stage. We reverted to the use of hand set.
“Communication has been the main problem encountered whenever emergencies occur. Communication affects coordination because without good and reliable communication, you may not achieve an effective and efficient coordination,’’ he said.
The NAMA General Manager at NAIA, Mr Jibrin Ahmeed said the exercises were to check the proficiency of the stakeholders in search and rescue if there was a heavy volcanic ash cloud eruption.
Ahmeed said the agency had intensified efforts to sustain standards in carrying out the exercises very meticulously.
“What we are doing today is to address the flaws we discovered during the first huge exercise we conducted in December 2021.
“From the two exercises conducted, we have discovered that the stakeholders are skillful enough in preparation for emergency in terms of Aircraft, “ he said.
Mr Marcel Onwuakpa, NAMA Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator at NAIA said that simulation volcanic ash cloud eruption was a new concept in aviation industry, especially in Africa.
According to Onwuakpa, the simulation volcanic ash cloud eruption is the first time that NAMA would organise an off-aerodrome exercise.
The coordinator said that the previous exercises the agency did before were mainly aerodrome.
“If anything happens outside the airport, it is NAMA’s responsibility to carry out emergency operation. That is what we did.
“Abuja airport is the first airport in Nigeria to organise off- aerodrome exercise outside the airport.
“ It is about 14km away from the airport. It is a heavy task. We were able to achieve this in Nigeria. We, indeed, did volcanic ash cloud eruption successfully.”
The stakeholders that took part in the training include officers from NCAA, FAAN, Federal Fire Service, the Police, FRSC, NEMA, NSCDC, NAMA and the media among others.
