NAMA Air traffic controller slumps, dies

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency air controller, Inuk Effiong is dead.

He slumped on Monday morning at his duty post at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

Late Effiong who was in his 40s was the second controller to die within two weeks at after Mr. Francis Anwetin, the ATC Operations Manager, Asaba Airport was hit by a vehicle on close of work at the Asaba Airport.

A source said, assistance could not be immediately offered to the deceased because of vehicular restrictions to the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) site.

”Before they could get a vehicle and rush him to the hospital he passed on. I wish to appeal to the authorities particularly his immediate constituency NAMA, the magnanimous Minister of Aviation and the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to please come to the immediate aid of his young family with the hope also that he will be compensated adequately to encourage others.

“While doing all these, may I appeal that the restriction of vehicle to the TRACON site be reviewed immediately while stress test carried out on the surviving ones.”

There has been a concern over the dearth of ATCs in NAMA prompting the management to even recall some officials from retirement.

Officials say the loss of the two ATCs had further depleted the rank of air traffic Controllers in the aviation sector.

NAMA authority was yet to release a statement as at the time of filing this report.