The aircraft e-clearance web portal recently deployed by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) in collaboration with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has continued to attract positive attention, commendation and buy-in from stakeholders in the aviation industry.
This is just as they say the internet solution will go a long way in reducing time constraints and also make for efficiency in processing entry and landing permits for non-scheduled foreign aircraft into the country.
These recent commendations were made during the demonstration of the e-clearance module to National Air Defence Corp and other security agencies by NAMA at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Conference Centre and Suites, Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the Military Airport Commandant, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Group Capt. Simon Peter, said “the aviation industry globally has gone digital and what NAMA has done by deploying the e-clearance portal is the way forward because apart from facilitating the process of getting the clearances, it also helps to improve the country’s rating on the ease of doing business,”
He noted that the internet solution would also improve security because all security agencies now have copies at the same time the checks are going on, adding that this would make it easier, better and faster and that it is a good way to go.
“You can be assured that the Nigerian Air Force is going to sustain collaboration with NAMA as they continue to enhance air traffic management capacity as well as airspace security.” He said
In his remarks, the Chief of Staff, British Military Advisory and Training Team in Nigeria, Squadron Leader, Ian Partridge, described the innovation as “a complete step change in the way many nations do their clearances for aircraft, adding that the fact that NAMA in collaboration with NCAA have done this in less than two years is quite outstanding.”
He described the digital clearance system as very thorough and that NAMA came up with.
“It is fantastic initiative that they have come up with as you do not have to deal with all the paper work or drive between offices anymore. You have to do it all online and also maintain the integrity of the clearance process. It is going to revolutionize the process, going forward.”
Partridge who is a Royal Air Force (RAF) officer stated that his office was interested in how diplomatic clearances are approved granted.
He also revealed that Britain was willing to continue to support Nigeria as the nation strives to enhance its airspace capacity with innovations such as this “e-clearance system”
Also speaking, the Director of Air Traffic Service, Nigeria Air Force, Wing Commander, Nuhu Hassan described e-clearance as a commendable breakthrough.
He, however called for a periodic review of the system by all stakeholders to enable them observe areas of possible improvement
Earlier in his address, the Managing Director of NAMA, Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam, had noted that the increasing demand for air services in the country necessitated the agency to embark on some strategic projects aimed at developing its air traffic management capacity, stressing that the deployment of the e-clearance system was in line with the agency’s strategic objective of automating its business processes.
