Duty Air Traffic Controller Officers (DATCO) attached to the Anambra Airport by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), on Sunday returned to the tower of the aerodrome after they were evicted from their hotel accommodation by officials of the state.
The air traffic controllers were lodged in a hotel in the state to enable then discharge air traffic control services at the new state – built cargo / passenger airport in Umueri.
The airport was opened a few months during the twilight of the administration of the former governor , Willie Obiano.
But trouble broke loose at the weekend when officials of the Prof. Charles Soludo administration vacated the NAMA personnel from the hotel.
Sources hinted that the eviction directive could have emanated from gaps in communication between officials of the state.
A source familiar with the development said the accommodation arrangement for the air traffic controllers may not have been captured in the handover notes and other official documentation when Soludo assumed duties.
In an operations broadcast, an air traffic personnel raised the alarm.
He said in industry wide electronic message :”
Any station/DATCO sending flight to Anambra Airport today should first confirm whether the tower is operational.
“The reason is that all NAMA staff working at the airport were suddenly vacated from accommodation yesterday without prior information. Even those on duty are being asked to pay for their accommodation for last night.
“As at the time of this report we are all in hotel packing our belongs to leave.”
Worried by the development, officials of NAMA a source familiar with the development said has engaged the Anambra State Government towards amicable resolution.
The source said the air traffic controllers have been directed by their management to return to the hotel while sorting out the matter.
The source said :” There is no problem at all, the matter is being resolved . Our air traffic controllers have returned to the hotel . Perhaps the issue arose due to gaps in communication. May be the new administration officials were not thoroughly briefed on the status of accommodation for the deployed air traffic controllers.”
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