■■ NIGERIA: NAMA strike to lockdown Nigeria's airspace from midnight as negotiations with management break down.

[UPDATE 20 MAY] Employees of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) affiliated to the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), are to proceed with a strike beginning Monday 20 May at 00h01. The walkout has come about as result of an ongoing wage dispute with the organization's management.

■ NIGERIA: NAMA plans full area radar coverage by month's end.

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) says it will commence full area radar control by the end of this month having up in place all the necessary logistics and equipment to run a hassle-free air traffic operation, the agency's Managing Director, Engr  Nnamdi Udoh, has said.

■ NIGERIA: Indra Sistemas completes upgrade of comms systems at 13 Nigerian airports.

As part of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA)'s effort to modernize and prioritize safety, Spanish information technology and defense systems company, Indra Sistemas, has completed the installation and testing of its voice communications system in 13 Nigerian airports.

■ NIGERIA: Runway lighting installed at Lagos' MMA runway 18L/36R.

Five years on from the opening of the rehabilitated runway 18L/36R used for domestic flights out of Lagos' Murtala Muhammed International Airport, mobile airfield lighting has finally been installed there henceforth allowing night time landings which were previously only permitted on runway 18R/36L.

■ NIGERIA: NAMA switches to Automated Flight Planning.

The Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA) has, effective 15 November 2012, switched from the analogue method of preparing flight plans to an automated flight plan system, that can be accessed here. In addition, the system is compatible with changes announced to the ICAO model flight plan form and ATS Messages (Amendment 1 to 15th Edition of PANS ATM Doc 4444) which came into effect on 15 November 2012.