By Chinelo Obogo
Officials of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) were at loggerheads at the weekend over electricity supply at Kano Airport.
Members of staff of NAMA including Air Traffic Controllers were cut off from electricity supply over a N500 million debt owed FAAN.
The Airport Manager, Gambo Aboki, said other agencies also affected by the disconnection have since paid up and reconnected, insisting that, if agencies and others refused to pay for electricity consumed, FAAN will not be able to maintain its facilities.
“How will FAAN discharge its responsibilities if other agencies refuse to pay up for services rendered? We are not father Christmas, we need money to run our operations, we also have an obligation,” he said.
Reacting to the development, the association of Air Traffic Controllers at the airport disclosed that they will shut down navigational aids in Kano zone if power is not restored.
“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 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 workers residing in the quarters. As we speak, our people had been kept in perpetual darkness without any justification. If by Monday nothing is done to restore electricity, we will take action,” an Air Traffic Controller said.