Senator Bala Ibn Na Allah has identified the role of Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) in Nigeria as the key to safety and economic management.
Speaking in Abuja at the presentation of a book, The Air Traffic Controllers, he said ATCs cannot be ignored considering the pivotal role they play before, during, and after any flight.
Na Allah predicted that Nigerians will soon begin to acknowledge the importance of ATCs as more people embrace flying, being the fastest and safest means of transport.
He commended the author, Gideon Gaza, saying many are scared of writing about aviation because of the technicalities.
Reviewing the book, Professor Rebecca Ndana of the biological sciences department of the University of Abuja, said it is timely as little is known about ATCs.
She added that the book is a good guide on the role of ATCs who ought to be paid more than any other group of workers in the country, considering their role.
Ndana recommended the book to everyone in the chain of airline service delivery and canvassed the inclusion of air traffic control in the curriculum of schools.
Gaza said he was inspired to write the book by the poor public perception of ATCs.
He narrated how he, as an ATC, has been “humiliated” several times by members of the public because of their ignorance about the profession.
