The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Corporate Headquarters and Air Traffic Management Centre of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Describing the project as a landmark development on Thursday, the minister said it reflects the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to strengthening aviation safety, boosting infrastructure and creating jobs.
Keyamo noted that since its establishment over two decades ago, NAMA has operated without a permanent corporate headquarters.
According to him, the new complex will not only provide a befitting operational base for the agency but also enhance efficiency in airspace management across the country.
He stated that the facility would improve safety architecture, attract investment, promote innovation and support economic growth.
The minister added that the project is being executed in compliance with the Bureau of Public Procurement guidelines and is expected to be completed within 30 months.
Charging the contractor to deliver on schedule, Keyamo stressed that the assignment must be treated as a national priority, with no compromise on quality or standards.
He directed that all processes be closely monitored to ensure timely and standard delivery.
The minister also commiserated with NAMA over the recent fire outbreak at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and commended the agency for its swift restoration of operations.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of NAMA, Engr. Farouk Umar, described the project as monumental, saying the agency had operated for over 20 years without a befitting headquarters.
He said the new Corporate Headquarters and Air Traffic Management Centre would unify and modernise Nigeria’s airspace management system, reduce technical redundancies and improve staff welfare.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, said the initiative aligns with global best practices and would further elevate the country’s aviation sector.
He pledged regulatory and certification support for the project.
The Director-General of the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Captain Alex Badeh Jnr; the Rector of the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Danjuma Ismaila; and the Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Charles Anosike, emphasised strict adherence to safety and construction standards.
The contractor, NHB Interbiz Project Ltd, assured stakeholders of its commitment to delivering a world-class edifice within the agreed timeline.
Other dignitaries at the ceremony included the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Yakubu Kofarmata, and representatives of key aviation and security agencies.
