The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Abbas Tajudeen has urged practitioners in the aviation sector to make deliberate efforts to meet up with global best practices.
He made call at the Public Hearing of the House Committee on Aviation Technology on a Bill to amend the Nigerian Meteorological Agency Establishment Act No29, 2022 and for Related Matters, in Abuja.
He described the public hearing as a reaffirmation of the House of Representatives commitment to efficiency, accountability and transparency.
The Speaker who was represented by the House Deputy Chief Whip, Mr. Ibrahim Isiaka, said that prioritization of the Citizens’ needs was imperative.
He said that the House of Representatives would continue to provide legislative support in enhancing Nigeria’s safety and economic growth.
Mr. Abbas therefore urged the relevant stakeholders and participants to make crucial contributions aimed at improving the services of NIMET .
The chairman House committee on Aviation technology, Mr. Tajudeen Abisodun, reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to improving and strengthening the services of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) for national safety.
He said that the amendment was imperative in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the country’s Meteorological Agency.
“This Bill is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of our Meteorological Agency. Which plays a vital role in ensuring the safety of lives and property, particularly in the aviation sector,” Mr. Abisodun said.
The lawmaker also said that the proposed amendments were focused on key sections that require urgent attention specifically to amend section 13 sub-section 2.
According to him, the amendments are designed to strengthen the agency’s capacity to provide accurate and timely weather forecasts, warnings and advisories.
Mr. Abisodun who reiterated the imperative of NIMET ‘s quality service delivery, said that the bill would enable Pilots and air traffic controllers to access reliable and accurate weather information for informed decisions.
The sponsor of the bill, Mr. Abdulrazak Adewale, said that aim of the Bill was to reposition NiMET for citizenry safety and economic growth.
He said that NiMET was the only agency mandated by law to give Meteorological data for national safety.
In his presentation, the Director General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Prof Charles Anosike said that the purpose of the presentation was to justify the proposed amendments.
He particularly supported the proposal for a cost recovery framework to ensure sustainable delivery of critical Meteorological services to sectors such as marine, construction and telecommunications.
The NIMET DG expressed the need for users of specialized Meteorological services to pay costs associated with the provision of such services.
He said that there were inherent gaps in the current Act that limits NIMET ‘s optimal service delivery especially in cost recovery.
“While in the current Act, (sections 7(1)(i) and 7(2) empowers NiMET to issue Meteorological information and to impose cost and sustainability recovery charges.
“There is currently no equivalent mechanism for non-aeronautical sectors, resulting in unrecovered operational costs, increased pressure on funding, poor Infrastructural development and limited service coverage.”
Mr. Anosike said that it imperative to improve the services of NIMET in line with global best services particularly cost recovery from specialized services.
Other stakeholders at the hearing threw their weight behind the amendment.
Confidence Okwuchi