The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) has said its
forecasts on flooding were ignored by most state governments across the
country.
This is as the agency says it is seeking a partnership with
the maritime sector to boost safety and performance in the sector.
Prof. Mansur Matazu, the Director-General of NiMET stated
this on Monday in Lagos during the commencement of a ‘Needs Assessment Workshop
for Stakeholders in the Maritime, Oil and Gas Sector.
Matazu who was represented at the occasion by Mailadi Abba,
the Director, Weather Forecasting Services, NiMET, said the agency had issued
early warnings on the possibility of floods across most states of the
federation before the commencement of the rains but lamented that the warnings
were disregarded by most stakeholders.
He insisted that if the warnings were adhered to, the level
of the havoc caused would have been reduced while the losses would also be
curbed.
Matazu declared that NiMET weather predictions are almost
perfect and called on all stakeholders and state governments to always endeavour
to adhere to its warnings.
He said its accurate weather predictions in the aviation
industry have helped to drastically reduce the rate of air accidents attributed
to weather issues.
He maintained that NiMET intends to replicate the same
safety heights recorded in the aviation sector in the maritime sector,
stressing that this could be achieved through partnerships with stakeholders in
the industry.
He said: “We gave the warnings and weather for each state
but whether the states adhered to it or not, we are now seeing the result. Most
of them did not adhere, unfortunately, it was only when the flood came that
many states were now running to Mr. President cap in hand to get money.
“If they had listened to us, some of these things would have
been avoided. We asked them to invite us and gather their stakeholders to allow
us to train them on the use of the information and engage with them so that we
can have a window through which we can interact with them; giving them updates,
and reminding them about what the forecasts say.
“But, unfortunately, they didn’t come forth to take the
information to their grassroots members. It is only when the flood came that
everyone is now calling for relief funds. So, our information is accurate,
reliable and timely. So, I don’t think we are going to have any issues with
accidents due to weather forecasts. You may have some gaps not necessarily from
NiMET but from the user itself.
“In the aviation sector, accidents due to weather are
reduced If not totally eliminated. This is the kind of service that we want to
deliver to the marine sector. So, our information is accurate, reliable and
timely.
Matazu further decried the vandalism of NiMET equipment at
airports and stations, especially at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos,
saying that the agency was collaborating with security agencies to address the
situation.
“We install our facilities so that we can get information,
but some people vandalise them and we are not the security outfits at the
airport. But, after the meeting with the security agencies, I think it is going
to reduce,” he assured.
In his presentation at the event, Mr. Wilfred Idowu, the
Technical Assistant to the Director-General, NiMET, noted that the agency had
built infrastructure, acquired International certifications and improved
competency over the years.
He also added that NiMET offers services to
telecommunications, health, power & energy, building & construction,
aviation, oil & gas, agriculture, water resources, marine & maritime,
education, defence, finance and insurance among others.
Apart from this, Idowu explained that NiMET also offers
services to the Gambia and Malawi.
He added: “Marine weather observation is a specialised
aspect of weather observation for collecting data on the condition of the
atmosphere over the sea surface. We have 12 Marine Met Stations along the
Coastline.”
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