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Warns contractor against substandard materials
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From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Thursday, performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the new corporate headquarters and Air Traffic Management Centre of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Speaking at the ceremony, the minister said the project underscored the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to strengthening aviation safety, boosting infrastructure and creating jobs.
Keyamo noted that, since its establishment, NAMA has operated without a permanent corporate headquarters, describing the new project as long overdue and a recognition of the agency’s critical role in managing Nigeria’s airspace.
According to him, the facility would enhance operational efficiency, strengthen safety architecture, attract investment, promote innovation and contribute to economic growth.
He added that the project was being executed in strict compliance with the requirements of the Bureau of Public Procurement and is expected to be completed within 30 months.
The minister charged the contractor to treat the assignment as a national priority, warning that quality, specifications and standards must not be compromised.
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He also directed that all stages of the project be closely monitored to ensure timely delivery.
Keyamo further commiserated with NAMA over the recent fire outbreak at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and praised the agency for its swift action in restoring operations.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of NAMA, Engr Farouk Ahmed Umar, described the development as monumental, noting that the agency had operated for more than two decades without a befitting office complex.
He said the new headquarters and Air Traffic Management Centre would modernise Nigeria’s airspace management system, reduce technical redundancies, enhance safety and improve staff welfare.
He also appealed for sustained funding and effective monitoring, given the capital-intensive nature of the project.
The Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, commended NAMA’s management, stating that the initiative aligns with global best practices and would further elevate the aviation sector. He reaffirmed the NCAA’s readiness to provide necessary regulatory and certification support.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau, Captain Alex Badeh Jnr; the Rector of the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Danjuma Ismaila; and the Director-General/CEO of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof Charles Anosike, stressed the importance of timely completion and strict adherence to construction and safety standards.
The contractor, NHB Interbiz Project Ltd, assured stakeholders of its commitment to delivering a world-class facility within the agreed timeline.
