Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) has announced Mano River Union (MRU) as recipients of the 2016 ATNS Albert Taylor Award.

The Sierra Leonean Minister of Transport and Aviation, Mr Leonard Balogun Koroma received the Award from ATNS Commercial Services Executive, Thabani Myeza, on behalf of the Civil Aviation Authorities of Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and the Roberts Flight Information Region (RFIR) – at an official ceremony held today in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

According to Thabani Myeza, ATNS Executive Commercial Services, there is a marked growth in the aviation sector in Africa. “There is a need for young, professional and aviation population to be trained in the latest aviation technology and safety protocols.”

The ATNS Aviation Training Academy has a long association with the MRU, dating back to 2001.

Accepting the Award, Sierra Leonean Minister of Transport, Mr. Leonard Balogun Koroma said Africa is at a critical stage of development. “Economic development of the continent will be accelerated through the movement of goods and people”. He concluded by stating, “to accomplish this – a safe, reliable and stable aviation industry is a necessity”.

As part of the Award, ATNS has partnered with the International Civil Aviation Organization Western and Central African (WACAF) Office to provide a two-week air traffic control instructors’ course to ten (10) delegates from Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Guinea Conakry CAA, Sierra Leone, Roberts Flight Information Region and Gambia CAA.

Training starts today in Freetown, Sierra Leone and will end on 1 July 2016.

The 21st century has seen African states creating an environment conducive for formidable partnerships and cooperation that has become a vehicle for enhancing capacity building within the Aviation Sector. ATNS believes in cultivating a culture of expertise within the aviation space backed by world-class learning and supportive initiatives.

The Award previously, previously known as the “Albert Taylor Scholarship” was established in 2008 in honour of Mr. Albert Taylor, who to this day, selflessly contributes his time and energy to the aviation industry in Africa. Past recipients include among others, Nigeria, Ghana and South Sudan.