The Director-General of the Nigerian Metrological Agency, NIMET, Professor Sani Mashi, says the organisation is now better placed than before to deliver on its mandate and responsibilities.
According to the Director-General, the agency was able to achieve such a feat following the huge attention given to it by the Nigerian government.
He said the backing of the Nigerian government propelled it to record massive achievements, even at a time that other sectors of the economy suffered as a result of dwindling resources occasioned by the global economic recession and the coronavirus pandemic.
In a chat with the media team of the Ministry of Aviation, Professor Mashi reiterated his agency’s preparedness to continue rendering credible and reliable services to all relevant sectors, especially those that have always looked forward to, and relied on its annual predictions as a guide for their own business activities.
Professor Mashi disclosed that the 2021 Seasonal Climate Prediction, which will be done by the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, remains the most reliable source of weather and climate information in the country.
According to him, physical attendance at the event will be highly regulated as part of efforts to control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in the country, with attendance strictly by invitation and promised that all the materials related to the event will be made available online for easy access.
The Seasonal Climate Prediction is meant to ensure that Nigerians develop a high level of preparedness for the challenges that climate might pose in the year 2021, as well as exploit the opportunities it might present.
NIMET provides aviation weather services and issues weather reports to contribute to safety improvement and efficiency of air navigation.
It also provides Oceanographic information for marine users both at sea and along the coast thereby making the decision-making process during weather-sensitive operations more efficient.
The Agricultural sector is not left out as it provides basic information and issues early warning on drought, crop-pests and diseases within the Agricultural Sector.
NIMET, is also responsible for providing flood forecasting services which include flood warnings and advisories to help meet the comprehensive need to protect life and property.
Nnenna.O