Sade Williams/Business a.m.
Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation and aerospace development, has met with officials of Thales, the renowned France-based global air surveillance radar provider, during a working visit aimed at initiating a comprehensive upgrade to Nigeria’s radar system.
A statement by Tunde Moshood, special adviser, media and communications, to the minister, noted that the ministerial delegation, including aviation expert Layi Are, travelled to Rouen-Ymare, Thales’ headquarters, to inspect and understand the functionality of the latest radar equipment.
“I have taken my time to come all the way because I want the best equipment for my country. I want the Nigerian aviation sector to compete favourably in terms of the installation of the latest equipment. That’s why I am here to take a tour and see the latest radar equipment in town,” Keyamo said.
Lionel DE Castellane, Thales’s vice president in charge of civil radars segment, guided the Nigerian minister through the inspection of facilities while highlighting the urgent need for the upgrade of total radar coverage of Nigerian airport facilities, especially at major airports such as Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Enugu, and Port-Harcourt.
He emphasised the need for the upgrade having installed the equipment 18 years ago
Castellane informed the minister that phase one of the TRACON project, initially signed with the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) in 2022, is 80 percent complete and scheduled for completion by May 2024, adding that discussions on financing arrangements for the second and third phases are underway.
In recognition of the financial magnitude of the project, Thales has secured a loan facility of €30.6 million from Commerzbank Group, a German financial institution, with the French Guarantee Agency providing backup support. “We’re only waiting for the Nigerian government to give us the nod to formalise the financing arrangements. Even as we speak, the Commerzbank director here in France is a call away anytime, she’s ready to travel to Nigeria for the formalities,” Costallane said.
With a rich history dating back to its establishment in the Netherlands in 1938, Thales has played a pivotal role in radar system installations globally, integrating its services into France in the early 50s and in Germany in 1963.
Notably, Thales has been instrumental in radar installations for major international airports such as the London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle, among others.
