Stakeholders split over NAMA’s share of aviation levies

The Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) sharing formula controversy in Nigeria's aviation sector has led to divergent opinions among stakeholders. Some argue that the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) should receive a larger share of the aviation levy to maintain critical navigation and air traffic control infrastructure, while others caution against increased funding without demonstrating efficiency. Experts suggest that the government should conduct discreet investigations into the spending of the agencies.

John Ojikutu, a former Group Captain at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, argues that NAMA's responsibilities and operating costs justify a review of its share of the TSC. NAMA provides essential services such as air traffic control, navigational services, flight information, emergency coordination, and search and rescue coordination.

Ojikutu emphasizes that NAMA's system depends on sophisticated equipment and a large workforce, including more than 3,000 personnel. He asserts that the agency's expenses require regular expenditure, including mandatory maintenance for controllers and engineers, and scheduled maintenance for navigational equipment.

However, aviation analyst Sam Caulcrick disagrees with the notion that operating expenditure alone should determine NAMA's share. Caulcrick argues that capital expenditure must be tied directly to improved efficiency and revenue protection. He highlights Nigeria's upper airspace communications architecture, which uses repeater-based communication instead of adequately optimized line-of-sight VHF coverage.

This has created blind spots and communication delays, leading to unreliable radio communication between pilots and air traffic controllers. Caulcrick suggests that airlines may be choosing alternative routes to avoid Nigerian airspace, resulting in lost income. He proposes that improving upper-airspace communications should be the first step before considering funding increases.