Engr Umar Farouk Ahmed in front with other NAMA senior officers behind him inspecting the Agency’s facilities at Lagos Airport.

Despite the fire that gutted the terminal building of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on February 23^rd,the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency(NAMA) Engr.Ahmed Farouk Umar has given firm assurance to Nigerians, the flying public that the nation’s airspace remains safe.

Speaking with news men after inspection tour of NAMA facilities at the MMIA,Umar said “ I want to reassure Nigerians the flying community that the air to ground communication will remain uninterrupted”

He said when the news of the fire incident got to him,he I immediately dispatched the director of operations and engineering and other officers to come and see for themselves.

“ What we saw actually, a huge loss as far as communication is concerned and other air traffic services were really disrupted.”

“So we had no option at that time than to suspend inbound aircraft into Lagos. But good enough, there was prompt response to the emergency situation that we found ourselves in.”

“The director of operations and those workers that were on ground actually put their lives in danger. They were supposed to run and  leave the place; they decided to stay and salvage the situation.”

“Today, we are happy to say that communication, aerodrome approach and air traffic control remain uninterrupted.”

He said that he was  happy that no life was lost and that what the Agency is   trying to do now is to improve on what it has done so far.

“ We didn’t move in there immediately because the terrain was not good for us to go and see. So we have to ask the Chinese working there to help us with civil engineering work  so that we can move in  the mobile tower. And from what I saw when I visited the area, they have done very well within 24 hours. Hopefully I think by tomorrow or next we’ll be able to move the mobile tower.”

Asked what was actually damaged, he said :Let me  be very honest with you. The fire has affected our air to ground formation completely what you see on ground now that we are able to sustain air tactic service is the backup.

“ In terms of monetary value, it’s going to be very difficult for me to tell the magnitude of the loss It will take us a while to do so. We are working on it.”