Gov’t funding for meteorological services inadequate, says Matazu
The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET) has called for adequate funding of its services to cushion the effects of harsh economic realities in the country today.
Director-General of NiMet, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu made this appeal at the 1st France-Nigeria Meteorology Seminar and Business Conference held in Abuja yesterday November 13, 2023.
According to him, government funding for meteorological activities such as instrumentation, new technology, equipment, social services, communications and data sharing is inadequate in Nigeria.
Matazu noted two critical problems arising from the expansion of weather operations (among other challenges) and increasing downsizing of staff due to inadequate remuneration are urgent issues that must be addressed to sustain weather forecasting.
To bolster the agency’s operations, Matazu suggested that the government should consider sustainable public-private partnerships.
“As we all know, the world economies are struggling due to various challenges around the globe, including natural and man-made disasters, and the fact that most countries are yet to stabilise due to the devastating COVID-19 experience.
“As a Service Provider, NiMET, in line with its establishment mandate, continues to promote and implement activities in support of national socio-economic development across all sectors of the Nigerian economy,” said Matazu.
According to him, credible public-private partnerships and innovative initiatives are needed to improve meteorological technology, products and services that are relevant to the economy.
He added that this can be achieved by ensuring that the objectives of the United Nations Early Warning for All Initiative are observed with a view to significant results, such as cost-effective technological solutions that enable easy business transactions with maximum impact.
Matazu disclosed that NiMet provides round-the-clock weather information that are critical for aviation operations and development as well as various products and services that are reliable, accurate, timely and actionable.
Some of its services include: seasonal climate prediction (SCP), which provides important weather and climate information that can affect socio-economic activities in the areas of air, land and water transport, agriculture, water resources, disaster management and mitigation, health and tourism, sports and physical fitness.
Other products include marine coastal and offshore weather forecasts, public weather forecasts, impact-based weather forecasts, heavy rain forecasts, among others.
He lauded the Management of Business France Nigeria (the commercial department of the French Embassy), and Prométéo, the French Meteorology & Hydrology Association, the Management and Staff of NiMet for making the conference a success, which happens to be the first of its kind between NiMet and its french counterpart.
The conference was attended by Permanent Representatives of Cameroon, Ghana, Rwanda, Uganda and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).
