NAMA's push for 90% of NCAA's aviation safety fees risks undermining oversight, expert warns
NAMA reportedly seeks 90% of Aviation Height Clearance (AHC) fees currently funding NCAA's regulatory safety oversight, leaving NCAA with only 10%. Suleiman argues AHC fees are strictly for NCAA's cost recovery of safety inspections, surveillance and enforcement—not general aviation revenue. NAMA's navigation charges haven't been reviewed since 2008 despite soaring forex, tech and equipment costs, creating its funding strain. Redirecting NCAA's AHC fees would weaken the regulator's capacity to inspect structures like towers and cranes for aviation hazards. NAMA already gets paid for technical services like WGS-84 surveys and flight procedure design when requested. The real fix: NCAA must keep its AHC fees for safety oversight while National Assembly pressures review of NAMA's outdated navigation charges. Blurring operational funding with regulatory cost recovery risks eroding aviation safety credibility as ICAO emphasizes clear separation between service provision and independent regulation.