NAMA Calls for End to 50% Revenue Deduction - By Daisy BARRO

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has called for the intervention of the National Assembly to enable it attain financial autonomy by putting an end to the 50% currently being deducted from the agency's revenue. Engr. Farouk Umar, the Managing Director of NAMA, made this call recently in Abuja during a four-day retreat of the House Committee on Aviation themed "Emerging Trends in Global Aviation: Sustainability, Technology, and Digital Transformation".

According to the NAMA chief, modernizing Nigeria's aviation sector cannot happen without financial reform. He emphasized the need for full enforcement of Section 9(2) of the NAMA Act 2022, which stipulates that all fees and charges imposed by NAMA are not subject to deductions or remittance to any other body.

"The current 50% deduction at source cripples the agency's capacity to meet its statutory responsibility, expand capacity, and deliver on international obligations", he lamented, adding that this deduction hinders NAMA's ability to maintain critical infrastructure, pay and train skilled personnel, fund critical upgrades, and meet International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards.

He went on to note that adherence to the provisions of Section 9(2) of the NAMA Act would enable the agency to ensure regular maintenance and calibration of Communication, Navigation & Surveillance (CNS) equipment, employ and train critical personnel, and invest in digitalization and innovation. Engr. Umar also solicited the House Committee's intervention to ensure the implementation of the Obstruction Evaluation Fees Provision in Section 18(1)(a), (b), and (xii) of the NAMA Act 2022.

Equally foregrounded during the retreat was the need for a comprehensive review of air navigation charges, which have been stagnant since 2008. Experts note that this review requires urgent attention in order for it to reflect current economic realities and to ensure true cost recovery by the agency.

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