Life Security: NiMet Solicits More Investments In Meteorological Services

• NiMet
• “NiMet as of today has over 10 marine meteorological stations along the coastal belt of the country.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) on Tuesday solicited more investment from public and private sectors in meteorological services for safety of lives and properties.

Its Director-General, Prof. Mansur Matazu, made the plea in Abuja at the occasion of World Meteorological Day (WMD), themed “Ocean, Our Climate and Weather. “

According to him, such capital investment from public and private organisations into the sector would help the nation to address impact of climate change tremendously.

“Hence, to secure lives and property along the coast, mitigate the impact of climate and weather extremes and contribute positively to the socio-economic lives of our nation’s populace, huge investments in meteorological and hydrological services are inevitable.

“The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), over the years, with support from the Federal Government of Nigeria has been investing in meteorological data generation both along the coast and inlands.

The data generated are so critical for past assessments and future predictions including now casting,” it said.

Matazu said that the water level across the World Ocean including the one along the coastal belt of Nigeria had been rising due to changing climate.

According to him, the implication is increasing danger of coastal erosions, storm surges, stronger ocean waves and swells exacerbated by global temperature increase.

The director- general added that the increasing intensity and frequency of convective storms and dusty winds were influenced by Air-Sea momentum and heat exchanges aggravated by global warming.

The director-general said that the science of weather and climate was never complete without adequate knowledge and reference to the Ocean.

Matazu said the Ocean plaid a critical role in weather occurrence on different timescales including the changing climate and its variability.

“To support national and regional development, NiMet continues to render services to the marine sector including oil and gas.

“However, NiMet’s range of products and services cut across all weather and climate related sectors of the economy including aviation, agriculture, construction, tourism, defence, water resources management, 3 telecommunications, environment and communications among others.

“Our products and services include routine publications and on-demand requests. NiMet produces Flood and Drought Bulletin, Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) as part of the Agency’s meteorological Early Warning System,“ he said.

According to him, SCP contains rainfall and temperature outlook for the year including possible socioeconomic implications of the projected weather patterns and Annual State of the Climate report in Nigeria.

Others he said are; Agromet Bulletin , Hydromet Bulletin, Climate and Health Bulletin, Daily weather outlooks and bulletins, TV weather forecasts, Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts, Marine Bulletin and myriads of on-demand services.

He stated that products, with regular updates, were designed to provide relevant information for planning and execution of projects and programs in various sectors of the economy.

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“NiMet, in fulfillment of its mandates and in line with standards and recommended practices of WMO, IMO, ICAO, and related organisations, is ever committed to providing timely, accurate and quality meteorological products and services.

“It also committed to provide timely early warning advisories for all weather and climate sensitive sectors to promote sustainable development in the country,” he said.

According to him, the science of weather and climate is not limited to activities within the atmosphere, but also include land and the cryosphere which must not be ignored.

Earlier, Dr Bernard Gomez, the WMO Director for North, West and Central, commended NiMet efforts for its activities that had helped Nigeria and some other countries in Africa in weather forecast.

Gomez, who was represented by Dr Rowland Abah, the National Officer, WMO office for North Central West Africa, said 2021-2030 would be the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

“The Ocean covers about 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface, performing a major role as a driver of world’s weather and climate, and the global economy.

“Also, carrying more than 90 per cent of world trade and sustaining the 40 per cent of humanity that lives within 100 km of the coast.