NAMA explains cell tower delay at Lagos airport

The Nigerian Airspace Administration Company has clarified the explanations behind the delay in deploying a Cellular Management Tower at Murtala Mohammed Worldwide Airport, Lagos, following the latest fireplace incident that affected the airport’s foremost aerodrome management tower.

The company defined that the delay isn’t as a consequence of inaction, however is important to totally adjust to aviation engineering and security requirements for putting in delicate air navigation infrastructure.

Director of Public Affairs and Shopper Safety, Dr Abdullahi Musa, made this recognized in an announcement shared with The PidomNigeria on Sunday, responding to media experiences questioning why the cell tower had but to be deployed.

“The eye of the Nigerian Airspace Administration Company has been drawn to a newspaper report titled ‘Three Weeks After, NAMA But to Deploy Cellular Tower’ dated thirteenth March, 2026. Whereas the publication could have been motivated by public concern, it sadly overlooks vital technical and security concerns that govern aviation infrastructure deployment,” Musa stated.

He famous that instantly after the fireplace on the aerodrome management tower, NAMA activated contingency measures to make sure air navigation companies continued with out interruption. As a part of the emergency response, the company started making ready to deploy a Cellular Management Tower to serve quickly whereas restoration work continues on the principle tower.

“Following the latest fireplace incident on the aerodrome management tower of MMIA, Lagos, NAMA instantly activated contingency measures to make sure uninterrupted air navigation companies.

“Nonetheless, the set up of aviation management infrastructure can’t be undertaken in a hurried or improvised method. Such services should adjust to strict engineering and operational requirements designed to safeguard plane operations,” Musa defined.

The company additional clarified that the chosen website for the short-term tower should present clear visible protection of the runway, taxiways, and different vital areas, enabling controllers to handle plane actions successfully. Structural preparation on the website required excavation and concrete casting to create a steady basis able to supporting the tower and its tools.

“First, the situation chosen for the Cellular Management Tower should present optimum visible protection of the runway, taxiways, and different vital parts of the airfield. This requirement is important for air visitors controllers to keep up efficient situational consciousness,” Musa stated.

“Secondly, the recognized location required excavation and structural casting to create a agency and steady basis able to supporting the tower infrastructure. Aviation installations demand structural stability to keep away from operational or security dangers.

“Engineering requirements additional require that the casting be allowed to remedy for no less than twenty-one days earlier than any heavy construction is mounted on it. This curing interval is a vital technical course of supposed to forestall cracks, instability, or structural failure,” he added.

NAMA additionally disclosed that its contractors, China Civil Engineering Development Firm, suggested in opposition to untimely set up, warning that it may harm the construction.

“Certainly, when NAMA initially ready to deploy the cell tower, the undertaking contractors suggested that the set up shouldn’t proceed till the muse had totally settled, warning that untimely deployment may harm the construction,” the assertion famous.

Whereas the muse cures, NAMA assured that air visitors companies at MMIA have continued with out disruption via interim preparations.

“It is usually essential to state that air visitors management companies at MMIA have remained uninterrupted. As an interim association, the Fireplace Service Tower has been successfully utilised for aerodrome management operations pending the set up of the Cellular Tower. Opposite to the impression created within the publication, the Cellular Management Tower is prepared for deployment and is anticipated to be positioned inside days upon completion of the necessary curing interval,” Musa stated.

He careworn that each one NAMA selections are guided by worldwide finest practices and a dedication to aviation security. “NAMA stays firmly dedicated to the very best requirements of aviation security, professionalism, and operational excellence. In aviation, security is sacrosanct, and each resolution taken by the company is guided by world finest practices,” Musa promised.