NiMet, MOWCA Forge Alliance to Enhance Maritime Safety Across West, Central Africa
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) have formalised a groundbreaking partnership aimed at bolstering maritime safety in the region.
The collaboration, sealed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 5th December 2024, focuses on advancing marine weather observation, early warning systems, and capacity building in marine meteorology for member states.
At the signing ceremony held at MOWCA’s headquarters in Abidjan, Prof. Charles Anosike, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, highlighted the strategic importance of the agreement.
He underscored the agency’s commitment to leveraging MOWCA’s extensive reach to enhance service delivery across the region.
“Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) is the authoritative voice on the state and behaviour of Nigeria’s atmosphere and its interaction with all aspects of the economy,” Prof. Anosike stated.
“Weather, climate, and water cycles cannot be controlled by a single country; international cooperation is essential for the development of meteorology,” he added.
Prof. Anosike emphasised the shared challenges of maritime safety, security, and pollution faced by West and Central African nations, which heavily depend on maritime transport.
He stressed the critical need for compliance with the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention and World Meteorological Organization standards, which mandate the dissemination of weather information to ships twice daily.
“Investment in ocean observation infrastructure and capacity development is highly needed to ensure that weather information covers all shipping lines and fishing grounds in MOWCA member states,” he said, urging for funding support to enable effective regional maritime weather information sharing.
The partnership, he noted, would provide a platform for fostering regional cooperation and improving the socio-economic benefits derived from ocean-based observational data.
In response, MOWCA’s Secretary General, Dr Paul Adalikwu, lauded NiMet’s contributions to the maritime sector, acknowledging the agency’s role in delivering accurate weather forecasts and timely warnings.
“The role of meteorological agencies in maritime operations cannot be overemphasised. They are critical for predicting storms, tides, and sea conditions, which significantly enhance vessel safety,” Dr Adalikwu said.
He expressed satisfaction with NiMet’s presentation and pledged to promote its services among MOWCA member states, urging stakeholders in the maritime sector to follow suit.
“Considering the volume of vessels that pass through Nigerian waterways, this partnership is not just beneficial but essential,” he concluded, vowing to escalate the issues raised to member states while encouraging them to adopt best practices exemplified by NiMet.
The MoU signing represents a significant step towards improving maritime safety through enhanced uptake of marine weather information, a vital resource for the safety of vessels and efficient maritime operations.
