Breaking: Air Traffic Controller Slumps, Dies On Duty At Lagos Airport

An Air Traffic Controller (ATC) of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) on Monday morning slumped and died on duty post at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The controller, identified as Inuk Effiong was said to be in his early 40s as at the time he died on duty on Monday at 4am.

Effiong was the second controller that has died in the last two weeks in NAMA.
About two weeks ago, Mr. Francis Anwetin, the ATC Operations Manager, Asaba Airport was hit by a vehicle on close of work at the Asaba Airport.
He was said to have died on the spot right In front of the airport gate.
As at the time of filing this report, NAMA was yet to make an official statement, but a source close to the agency confirmed the development to our correspondent on phone.
According to the source, help could not immediately come to the deceased because of vehicular restrictions to the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) site.
”Before they could get a vehicle and rush him to the hospital he passed on. I wish to appeal to the authorities particularly his immediate constituency NAMA, the magnanimous Minister of Aviation and the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to please come to the immediate aid of his young family with the hope also that he will be compensated adequately to encourage others.
“While doing all these, may I appeal that the restriction of vehicle to the TRACON site be reviewed immediately while stress test carried out on the surviving ones.”
There has been a concern over the dearth of ATCs in NAMA prompting the management to even recall some officials from retirement.
Officials say the loss of the two ATCs had further depleted the rank of air traffic Controllers in the aviation sector.