UAVs Operators Should Obtain Permit from ONSA, ANCAA

By Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has directed all operators of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for non-military purposes in the country to obtain the necessary permit and documentation from the regulatory agencies.

The Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Grp Capt. Ayodele Famuyiwa, has urged the concerned individuals or companies to obtain such permit from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Famuyiwa noted that the regulation was necessary to ensure air safety as a result of growing number of UAVs across the globe and Nigeria in particular.

He said: “The use of UAVs for both military and non-military purposes had increased globally with the attendant risk to aviation safety. Of recent, a British Airways Airbus A320 flying from Geneva to London,  with 137 persons onboard, was struck by a drone as the aircraft was approaching to land at Heathrow airport.

“This incident brings to fore the need for safe integration of UAVs in non-segmented airspace, especially in Nigeria where the use of UAVs for non-military purposes is on the increase.”

“There is the need therefore to streamline such operations to ensure safety of air operations in Nigeria”, he added.

The DOPRI stressed t that the operation of UAVs in Nigeria was subject to regulation by the NCAA and ONSA.

Consequently, he said, UAV operators in the Country were urged to stick to the conditions stipulated in their permits”.