NAEBI, Tensor, FMAAD, working to track helicopters with new equipment

Sade Williams/Business a.m.

Indigenous aviation sector operator, NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited, is acquiring additional equipment to enhance its service delivery.

The company is acquiring information technology tracking devices, body-worn cameras, control room complete facility rack fitted, amongst other support information technology facilities that will capture and relay data for helicopters flying in and out of Nigeria.

Chike Stanley, managing director and chief executive officer of the company stated that the move to re-fleet its equipment profile, is part of the company’s strategy to ensure it achieves its objectives on job creation and fulfilling its mandate of generating revenue for the Nigerian government.

Martin Head, an official of Tensor, the equipment company in the United Kingdom, stated that the company is working with NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited and the Federal Ministry of Aviation & Aerospace Development to achieve the tracking of Helicopters in and out of Nigeria from the control room.

He confirmed the reliability of the equipment describing them as very robust and innovative with a unique software which would aid comprehensive and accurate investigation for the company’s operations.

Speaking more on the efforts to consolidate on its service delivery, Stanley said NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited will be acquiring a mobile radar to help cover low level flights from 5000 feet above sea level with high density cameras and other technological devices to be deployed to the area.

According to him, the thrust is to contribute in increasing the nation’s gross domestic product through the Ministry of Aviation; creating jobs, and reducing security risks and youth restiveness, especially in the Niger Delta Region.

The NAEBI CEO further revealed that the project scope would assist the government in collating data on the day-to-day movements of helicopters in Nigeria

He emphasised that the company’s operation is playing a huge role in reducing the unemployment rate and lauded the federal government for supporting the NAEBI Dynamic Concepts Limited project.

He also thanked representatives of the Ministry Of Aviation and Aerospace Development, who were part of the entourage to the United Kingdom to obtain first-hand information on the project and process.

During the meeting, Christopher Omoaghe, the special advisor to the minister on special projects and duties, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Aviation & Aerospace Development, highlighted the challenges faced by the ministry, including the provision of incorrect schedules and data, as well as the submission of falsified amounts by operators attempting to bypass the system.

Stanley applauded the team from the ministry for their involvement in the project, assuring them of the company’s capacity to deliver on the set timelines.

He said: “Work has commenced and the current delay is on easy access and compliance.”

This he said would take about three months. As for the launch of the project, he stated that it would take about a year for the Control Room to be delivered.

He said: “We intend to train another batch of Helicopter Monitoring Officers (HMOs) in Aviation Security (AVSEC) basic 1, 2, 3, Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) courses by the first quarter of 2024, as well as deploy needed equipment that will enhance efficient navigational services.

“We believe in the overall success of this initiative and will continue to do all we can while upholding international standard practice in fulfilling our mandate. This is in furtherance of our aim to forestall revenue losses.

“To this end, we began by consulting with stakeholders in the industry, including the helicopter operators, Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA)’s Airspace Managers, air traffic controllers, executive governors in the Niger Delta region and the international oil companies (IOCs) and local oil companies (LOCs).

“We have left nothing to chance in developing this value chain with a series of strategic activities. We have also continued to engage the state governments in the Niger Delta region, having provided and commissioned operational vehicles and a call centre in Port Harcourt International Airport, General Aviation Terminal Building.

“In the last three years, we have sustained our operations adding value to the industry with the mandate given us by the government. We have successfully sensitised the stakeholders and public on the project,” he said.