In an interview with Nampa last week, the Director of Civil Aviation, Bethuel Mujetenga, said plans were in the pipeline to acquire N$320 million from the Spanish government to buy air traffic communication equipment.

Mujetenga said Namibia had been blacklisted because of a lack of air traffic communication equipment at the Outjo Relay station.

The Outjo Relay station covers the mountainous areas of the Kunene Region and the ocean airspace in that vicinity.

He explained that pilots experienced problems in making contact with air traffic controllers (ATCs) at the relay station despite an alternative frequency being made available.

IATA's blacklisting could result in airlines being advised not to fly over Namibian airspace. It holds severe implications for the tourism sector and could also adversely affect foreign investment.

Mujetenga said previous calls on the treasury and the National Planning Commission (NPC) for funds to buy air space communication equipment had fallen on deaf ears.

He also blamed the Public Service Commission, charging it was reluctant to review the employment conditions and pay structure for ATCs.

This, he said, had led to a mass exodus of qualified staff in search of greener pastures.

The staff shortage is especially critical in the avionics section of the Directorate of Civil Aviation.

"Public service salaries do not allow us to attract and retain technically qualified people," the director lamented.

To try and redress the situation, the directorate is funding two trainee avionics at the Polytechnic of Namibia.

Advertisements have also been placed in publications in Southern African Development Community member states.

Mujetenga assured the public that there was no need to panic. He emphasised that their lives were not in danger when travelling by air because of the blacklisting. - Nampa

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