Aviation Minister highlights status of Meteorological Institute, Katsina state

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, says the establishment of a Meteorological Institute of Technology in Katsina State, North-West of the country has increased capacity of the nation to monitor the weather and share information with the rest of the world.

Sirika made the declaration in an interview with Voice of Nigeria in Katsina, soon after President Buhari paid a visit to the institution.

He said the institute offers courses leading to the award of ordinary and higher national diploma in meteorological studies.

“The Nigeria Meteorological Agency for weather forecasting activities (NIMET) is the oldest agency of government, since 1887 and no agency in the country predate that because of the significance of climate and its activities.

“So, the institute was purposely created to be able to monitor climate change and weather activities. There has been such an institute in Oshodi, Lagos State, tending for our region of West Africa and the one in Katsina is an addition to the region and it is fully kitted, automated and all of the classrooms are solarized with internet connectivity 24/7 with gadgets and equipment to be able to monitor climate real time,” he explained.

The Aviation Minister said the existence of the institute in Katsina has helped in boosting capacity as well as train the youths.

“The importance is that we have increased our capacity to be able to monitor weather and its activities as well as the climate and its impact on the environment.

“We tender to agriculture; agro-met, healthcare delivery and water resources. We monitor flood, sunshine, temperature and the wind. Over 50 parameters of weather are here being received and interpreted real time.

“We are accredited by the National Board for Technical Education, to obtain national and higher Diplomas in meteorological sciences. It is something that is new in this part of the world but its impact is great. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has given us certification as the best agency in Africa and we are very proud of that. We appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari’s support,” Sirika added.

He said data generated by the institute is useful to the three tiers of government in Nigeria and it is also transmitted globally.