Aviation Minister, Senator Hadi Sirika, has highlighted achievements of Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) under his watch, saying such was made possible due to political support and experts’ advice.
He stated this in his address during the 76th session of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Executive Council in Geneva, Switzerland, recently, where NiMet and India Meteorological Service signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
According to Sirika, new products, including Seasonal Climate Prediction (including its Summary for Policy Makers and translated version), the State of the Climate in Nigeria, Climate and Health Bulletin, Hydrometeorological bulletin, Agrometeorological bulletin, Extreme Weather Events Bulletin, Marine meteorological bulletin, 3-days Impact based forecast and many more on different time scales and validity, have been introduced by the agency.
He noted that these products and many more tailored services have generated lots of interest within the nation up to the Presidency that culminated into the President personally commissioning a National Meteorological Institute of Science and Technology in his home State and in his honour.
Sirika also revealed that there is increased inter-agency synergy along the Climate Services Value Chain, bringing together the meteorological, hydrological, disaster management and all responders together as we develop and practice Multi-hazard Early Warning System for All Nigerians.
“NiMet forecasts provide basis for the Annual Flood Outlook and Disaster Preparedness in Nigeria by both Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency and National Emergency Management Agency (who are both in two separate Ministries of Governments).
“The Agency has provided interventions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Malawi in terms of Capacity Building. Technical Assistance, Quality Management Systems and Competency framework.
“We have successfully hosted, providing leadership, and participated in Regional Climate Outlook Forums. Nigeria was recently part of and led the Country Hydromet Diagnostic (CHD) in Liberia and Sierra Leone, we hosted a Study Visit by both National Meteorological Services of Republic of Niger and The Gambia, we provided hosting support for the WMO HydroSOS initiative and earnestly working to take the initiative to the implementation phase, and just on Tuesday, we are part of the SOFF Initiative as well.
“All these are signs that we can get it right with strong commitment and political support in our NMHSs. We have also encouraged NiMet in pursuing PPE. This is exactly what we are doing at the Ministry of Aviation. Clearly, government funding will never be enough”, he said.
He however called on the WMO to intensify effort in encouraging cooperation among members and assist in bridging the existing gap between the political class and the experts on the field.
THISDAYLIVE.COM
