The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) says it has completed safety assessment and design of the International Civil Aviation Organisation's (ICAO) six newly approved Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) regional routes as it canvasses for a synergy with the Nigeria Police Force to protect navigational infrastructure at the nation’s airports.

In the weekly publication of the Public Affairs Department of NAMA issued on Monday in Abuja, the agency stated that implementation of the PBN routes would enhance regional connectivity within the Africa-Indian Ocean (AFI) region.

The routes, according to the statement, include a new airway linking Nairobi, Kenya, direct to Abuja, Nigeria (UT475), while another links Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR), direct to Tamale, Ghana (UT458).

“The routes also include Europe direct route from Abuja, Nigeria, to Tamaransset, Algeria (UT416), and an international route from Garoa in Cameroon to Niamey in Niger Republic through Kano in Nigeria (UT459).

“Others are Lagos, Nigeria, direct to Guinea Conakry (467) and Oxilo in Cameroon direct to Lagos, Nigeria (UT457).”

The publication quoted NAMA’s Managing Director, Mr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam, as saying that “these new routes shall become operational in October 2015.

It said that the new regional routes would lead to enhanced airspace capacity utilisation and reduce flight times.

“Abdulsalam expressed confidence that these new routes would also boost regional integration, co-operation and trade within the sub-region.”

The publication said that NAMA had advocated a coordinated and harmonious operational synergy with the Nigeria Police to enhance the security and safety of navigational equipment across Nigerian Airports.

According to the publication, the synergy is to ensure the security of Air Traffic Management/Communication, Navigation and Surveillance infrastructure deployed across airports in the country.

It said that the collaboration with the security agencies would ensure the safety of the nation’s high-tech Air Traffic Management facilities for effective and seamless flight operations in the country.

The publication added that NAMA boss appreciated the Airport Police Command for the maintenance of law and order as well as security of infrastructure within the nation’s airports.

He said that NAMA would continue to promote operational harmony and synergy among aviation and security agencies at the nation’s airports for safe, efficient and effective service delivery.

The publication stated that the new Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, Mrs. Victoria Menta, commended NAMA for maintaining safety of air navigation in the country.

It added that Menta promised to ensure that the command has direct interface with all stakeholders in the sector, where issues of mutual interest would be addressed.

Also, in a bid to protect navigational infrastructure at the nation’s airports, the Managing Director NAMA, Mr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam stated while receiving the new Commissioner of Police of the Lagos Airport Command, Mrs. Victoria Menta, to the agency’s headquarters in Lagos, noted that navigational facilities, including the air traffic management/communication, navigation and surveillance were critical to flight safety.

He said that collaborating with the police and other security agencies would ensure that the nation’s high-tech air traffic management facilities would remain safe and secure for flight operations.

While congratulating Menta on her new posting, Abdulsalam lauded the command for its maintenance of law and order and security of infrastructure at the airports.

“NAMA will continue to promote operational harmony and synergy among aviation and security agencies at the nation’s airports as this would make for safe, efficient and effective service delivery.”

Menta commended the agency for ensuring safety of air navigation in the country.

She said that her visit was to ensure that the command had direct interface with stakeholders in the sector to discuss issues of mutual interest. (NAN)

•Photo showsManaging Director NAMA, Mr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam