An Air Traffic Controller at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Aniekan Inuk Effiong, has passed on.
Effiong reportedly slumped while on duty in the wee hours of Monday and died shortly after.
The Controller who was said to be in his early 40s slumped while at his duty post at the approach radar of the Lagos airport.
A source told Daily Trust that the deceased slumped but because of vehicular restrictions to the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) site, he could not be rushed to the hospital.
He said, “Before they could get a vehicle and rush him to the hospital, he passed on.”
The deceased was an official of the Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA).
The source said, “I wish to appeal to the authorities particularly his immediate constituency – NAMA, the magnanimous Minister and DG 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.
“I humbly submit and seek for prayers for God to forgive his shortcomings and accept him in his bosom.”
Meanwhile, another air traffic controller died two weeks ago, making it two key technical staff members of NAMA that have passed on in a space of two weeks.
Francis Anwetin, the ATC operations manager at Asaba Airport, passed on after he was hit by a vehicle at the close of business.
He reportedly died on the spot right in front of the airport gate.
There has been growing 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 has further depleted the rank of Air Traffic Controllers in the aviation sector.
