The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has called on the Federal Government to reverse the 50% internal revenue deduction, emphasizing its detrimental effect on airspace safety.
In a statement, NAMA’s Managing Director and Chief Executive, Engr. Farouk Umar, said the deductions imposes severe limitations on the agency’s capacity to maintain and upgrade essential infrastructure.
“The safety of our airspace is paramount,” said Umar. “The 50% revenue deduction hinders our ability to maintain and upgrade critical infrastructure, such as our obsolete surveillance systems, which are over a decade old and urgently need replacement.”
Umar stressed that without sufficient funding, NAMA cannot cover the high costs of procuring and maintaining essential equipment or ensuring the continuous training of its technical staff, which are vital in order to maintain safety standards.
He explained that NAMA operates on a cost-recovery principle, as recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), meaning that all charges are meant to recover equipment and other service provision costs.
Currently, NAMA receives only 22% of the revenue from the five per cent charges on airfare, contracts, charters, and cargo sales, despite its major capital investment needs. In contrast, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, with fewer responsibilities, receives 56% of these funds.
“This revenue-sharing formula is skewed against NAMA, jeopardizing our ability to meet both national and international obligations,” Umar stated. “Restoring the full revenue allocation to NAMA is essential to address critical infrastructure needs, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure the continuous training of safety-critical personnel.”
Umar urged all stakeholders to support this necessary change to enhance air safety and ensure that Nigeria’s skies remain secure. “The entire aviation system is fundamentally about safety. There is no parking space in the sky, and safety protocols must be strictly adhered to on the ground,” he concluded.
