Monday, June 3, 2019

Nigeria, Ghana sign MoU on cross-border search and rescue

The Federal Government through the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority for synergy and collaborative cross-border search and rescue around the common boundaries of the two states.



NAMA said the agreement was part of efforts to address issues arising from the flow of air traffic among adjacent Flight Information Regions.

It added that the MoU stipulates guidelines and procedures for collaboration on aircraft and weather/terrain information sharing, deployment of manpower as well as search and rescue equipment in the event of an incident or accident.

The agency said it also signed Letters of Agreement with the Ghana team specifying procedures to be followed for tactical separation of aircraft between Lagos and Accra.

The agency said, “Stipulated in the Letters of Agreement are details such as how air traffic controllers exchange or manage the movement of aircraft across the two centres in terms of radio frequencies, the point at which to transfer aircraft as well as established boundaries and altitude for transfer of aircraft across the common borders.

“Also contained in the agreement are procedures of handling emergencies, transfer of aircraft using technical systems such as Controller Pilot Data Link and Automatic Dependent Surveillance Contract as well as standard separation between aircraft compliant with that of the adjacent state.”

According to a statement by the agency on Sunday, the two states also discussed the possibility of a partnership which would enable NAMA undertake the training of some of its operational personnel at the Ghana Civil Aviation Academy by virtue of its affiliation with renowned training institutions globally.

The Managing Director, NAMA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, said as a requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, the meeting with Ghana was critical as it would enhance operational synergy and seamlessness, making for fewer gaps in air traffic management between the two adjacent states.

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