Anxiety mounts as NAMA moves to cut off airlines, airports from navigational, radar services over N5bn debts

By Samson Echenim

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) says it plans to cut off airlines and airports which refused to pay for the agency’s services which had turned into debt reaching several billions of naira.

The agency, on Monday said it had given a 30-day final demand notice to debtor airlines and private /state owned airports to settle all outstanding debts owed to the agency.

While the agency did not mention the tune of debt owed by the airlines and airports in the statement issued on Monday, Business a.m gathered that the debts have reached over N5 billion.

The demand notice which expires  February 28, 2020 expects all debtors to settle their indebtedness or risk sanctions.

“It will be recalled that the affected debtors had earlier been communicated with details of their respective indebtedness to NAMA but have made no tangible effort to pay,” NAMA said in the statement.

The said notice read in part, “NAMA hereby notifies debtor private /state owned airport operators and airlines that effective 28th February, 2020, our services will no longer be available for the operation of their airports or airlines as the agency can no longer keep its personnel working at airports without payment.”

“In the meantime, the affected debtors, where in doubt have been advised to liaise with the commercial department of NAMA for reconciliation and/ or clarification within the stipulated grace period,” the agency said.