NAMA workers excited about leadership, giant strides of MD

For the umpteenth time, workers at the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) have attributed the positive changes noticeable in the agency presently to the quality of leadership deliverables from the management.

Some of the workers who spoke in confidence revealed that with so many different layers to senior management roles and often a wealth of challenges to face along the way, the leadership of the agency as led by Alhaji Ahmed Umar Farouk has demonstrated rare leadership qualities, thereby inspiring confidence in the workers’ abilities.

“NAMA members of staff, by all standards are now more comfortable with their duties in virtually all the departments simply because they now have and are working with a leader that they feel they can trust. Thanks to Farouk who came in and quickly understood the importance of building a robust and very cordial relationship with his team, including both senior and junior cadres of the staff team.

Confirming the position of the workers, a senior manager at NAMA who confided in the Nigerian Tribune that he was not delegated to speak on the issue, nevertheless declared that those in the system recognized the fact that Farouk has always been a good friend to all, right from when he was a middle-level staff in the agency; and this doesn’t mean becoming their friend, but rather presenting himself as a credible leader who is always transparent and equitable.

The workers who cited how over the years, the NAMA MD has progressed in his career steadily while achieving a high-level position, equally attested to the fact that he has also performed creditably well in virtually all the departments in NAMA. “Despite his attainment as the agency’s helmsman, he never perceived himself as the expert in all areas. In fact, he trusts that we will always deliver. He also sees his staff members as experts in their respective fields because he understands that industrial harmony is one of the biggest keys to success within any senior management role.

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“This rare camaraderie coupled with technical knowledge and deep understanding of the NAMA’s mandate to effectively manage the Nigerian Airspace to a level consistent with the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standard and ‘Recommended Practices (SARPS), things have been working for the service provider more than ever before.

In many aspects, Farouk even to the aviation unions and the professional bodies has done excellently well within the few months he has been in the office. For instance, with a background in Safety Electronic and Engineering, it was very easy for him to a complete overhaul of the country’s airspace communication architecture.

“Due to his belief in empowering workers, Farouk has already built a system in NAMA whereby members of staff are trained and retrained regularly. Beyond training, he has been able to give workers free hands to take on tasks or projects that will help them step outside of their comfort zones and grow as professionals. Workers’ welfare is now top notch and gone are the days staff members were denied duty allowances for no just cause.

In areas of equipping the workers, Farouk is said to have taken upon himself to ensure that NAMA workers do not lack their working tools at all the departments in the agency. .

The workers however expressed the optimism that with the present leadership style of the NAMA MD, that NAMA will progress and be able to compete favorably with other countries in terms of safety of airspace and efficiency of operations.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE