Tag: NIMET

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has disclosed its readiness to commercialise some of its services and products to boost its revenue and contribute to the country’s GDP.

The agency explained that the move was imperative due to inadequate resources from the government to support its operations and the high demand for meteorological and hydrological services by Nigerians and other countries.

NiMet noted that the agency’s goal to commercialise some of its services would be achieved through collaborations and more Public Private Partnerships (PPP).

This was disclosed in Abuja on Monday, November 13, by the Director General of (NiMet), Prof. Mansur Matazu at the first French-Nigeria Meteorological Seminar and business meeting.

He said: “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 experience.

“The cost of conducting meteorological business is also increasing amidst staff attritions due to inadequate remuneration and many others. Hence, Government funding of meteorological activities such as instrumentation, new technologies, equipment, welfare, communication, and data exchange are grossly inadequate.

“It is therefore imperative that Public Private Partnership must be embraced and explored”.

Read Also: Trial of ex-JAMB registrar, 4 children stalled

Speaking about some of its services and the need to generate revenue that would boost the country’s GDP, Matazu said: “As a service provider, NiMet in line with its established mandate promotes and implements activities in support of national socio-economic development across all sectors of the Nigerian economy.

“The Agency also develops various products and services that are reliable, accurate, timely and actionable which highlights vital Weather and Climate information that may affect socio-economic activities in air, land, and water transportation, agriculture, water resources, disaster management and mitigation, health, tourism, sports, power and energy.

“For successful sustenance of these products and services amidst the economic situations and the need to adequately ensure the purpose of the United Nations Early Warning for All initiative is achieved, it is critical for the adoption of available credible Public Private Partnerships (PPP) and engagements that will provide innovative and cost-effective technological solutions that will proffer ease of doing business for maximum impacts.

“The climate change issue is very challenging, so we need to open up more partnerships and there is a concept in the WMO called weather enterprise which aims to see how government and private sectors can work together in weather monitoring and in providing services for improved and sustainable livelihood in Africa.

“So, commercialization is the way to go because if you check our services that are categorized into public service, government-support service and the tailored service; there is a need to expand more on the tailored services to be able to generate more revenue for the agency and for government and also deliver more effective services to our clients in the country and beyond”.

Also speaking, the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs. Emmanuelle Blatmann who described the seminar as a win-win situation added that it would avail both countries of opportunities to share ideas on the latest technologies.

Blatmann said: “The seminar on meteorology and hydrology is part of the partnership agreement between Nigerian authorities and the French government.  The French government responded to the request made by Nigerian authorities because there is a need for a public-private partnership.

“France has been leading in climate change issues by integrating each of our projects and policies in all our partnerships abroad to mitigate the effect of climate change all over the world. So, the seminar is about sharing good practices and offering the latest technological solutions.”

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned residents of Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, and 12 other States to expect heavy rainfall on Tuesday, November 7.

The Agency also noted that in the next three days, there are good chances of extremely high temperatures in some northern states.

It also stated that very strong winds may affect 13 states.

This is contained in the Agency’s Multi-Hazard Impact-Based Weather Forecast Bulletin issued on 6th November, for 7th to 9th November, 2023.

On the rainfall pattern for Tuesday to Thursday, the bulletin stated: “Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected over parts of Kwara, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Ogun, Lagos, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Imo, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Taraba, and Cross River States on Tuesday 7th November 2023 (0000 – 2359hrs).

It said: “Low to moderate rainfall is also expected over parts of Kaduna, the FCT, Nasarawa, Plateau, Anambra, Kogi, Benue, Ebonyi, Oyo and Adamawa States.

“There are good chances of moderate to heavy rainfall anticipated on Wednesday 8th November (0000 – 2359hrs), over parts of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Imo, Cross River, Abia, and Akwa Ibom States.

“Low to moderate rainfall is expected over parts of Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Lagos, Edo, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi States.

“Moderate to heavy rainfall is anticipated on Thursday 8th November (0000 – 2359hrs), over parts of Benue, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Taraba States while low to moderate rainfall is expected over parts of Kaduna, the FCT, Nasarawa, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Kogi, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Abia, Edo and Ebonyi State.”

For the temperature, the bulletin stated: “During this day (0000 – 2359hrs, Tuesday, 7th November), there are good chances of extremely-high temperatures (Top 1%) over parts of Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Zamfara States.

“Good chances of very-high temperatures (Top 3%) are expected over parts of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara and Plateau States.  Elsewhere in the country, there is little or no chance of temperature-related hazards.

“On Wednesday, 8th November, (0000 – 2359hrs), there are high chances of extremely-high temperatures (Top 1%) over parts of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Niger State.

“While there are good chances of Very-High-temperatures (Top 3%) over parts of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, the FCT, Zamfara, Taraba and Plateau States. Elsewhere in the country, there is little or no chance of temperature-related hazards

Read Also: Flight delays, cancellations likely as NiMet predicts poor visibility

“Parts of Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kano,  Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Niger States have good chances of extremely-high temperatures (Top 1%) on the third day (0000 – 2359hrs, Wednesday, 9th November).

“There are also good chances of Very High-temperatures (Top 3%) expected over parts of Sokoto, Kebbi, Kwara, the FCT, Plateau, Taraba and Lagos State. Elsewhere in the country, there is little or no chance of temperature-related hazards.”

For the wind pattern, NiMet stated that in the next three days (7th, 8th, and 9th November 2023, there are high chances of very strong winds that may affect parts of Borno, Adamawa, Gombe, Yobe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kwara, Kogi, Enugu and Benue State.

The Agency also added that parts of Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Niger, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Lagos, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Imo, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, and Cross River States would experience moderate risk of hazards due to strong winds.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has advised pilots and airline operators to be cautious of hazardous weather due to the onset of the dry season.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) in its latest release alerted the public on the possibility of a decline in visibility as a result of observed dust haze propagated into the country from the source region.

The release by NiMet reads: “Winds over 10m and 925hPha are favourable for Dust-Haze propagations into the Northern parts of the country.

“Stations in the source region, Niger (Goure, Zinder, Maine-Soroa, Diffa, N-Guigmi and 61091) reporting horizontal visibility between 800m and 6000m. The sources from Chad are expected to report poor horizontal visibility in the next 24 hours, based on available models.”

It further explained that due to strong winds, the dust in suspension is expected to propagate to some states in the northern part of the country, which will further reduce horizontal visibility, especially over Katsina, Kano, Nguru, Jigawa, Potiskum, and Maiduguri in the next 24hours.

NiMet while advising members of the public to take necessary precautions due to dust particles presently in suspension over the atmosphere, urged individuals with respiratory ailments to protect themselves as the current weather condition is not good for their health.

Read Also; Appeal Court upholds Kano NNPP Reps member Jibrin’s election

Quoting the release by NiMet, the Director General of Civil Aviation, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Musa Nuhu stated that flights are bound to be delayed, diverted, or cancelled where terminal visibility falls below the prescribed aerodrome operating minima.

He stated: “This information is intended to alert pilots about the nature of weather associated with the dry season in Nigeria ranging from light/moderate to severe dust haze and sometimes early morning fog which can sometimes reduce the horizontal visibility to below the aerodrome operating minima.

“Therefore, members of the general public are to take necessary precautions during this time in the planning of their trips so as not to encounter unnecessary flight delays”.

Highlighting the impacts of the hazardous weather on flight operations, Captain Nuhu stated: “Air-to-ground visibility reduction due to haze dust or fog; Aerodrome visibility may fall below the prescribed operating minima and in severe conditions, dust haze can blot out runways, markers and airfield lightings over wide areas making visuals navigation extremely difficult or impossible; and flights are bound to be delayed, diverted or cancelled where terminal visibility falls below the prescribed aerodrome operating minima.”

Following the likely impacts, the DG urged all pilots, operators, and Air Traffic Controllers to abide by some safety requirements.

He said whenever hazardous weather conditions are noticed, Air Traffic Controllers should close the airspace and strictly adhere to published aerodrome weather minima by flight crews/operators and Air Traffic Controllers (ATC).

He also added: “Pilot and flight crew members shall obtain adequate departure, en-route, and destination weather information and briefing from NiMet Aerodrome Meteorological offices and stations prior to flight operations and exercise maximum restraint whenever adverse weather is observed”.

He also tasked operators to ensure that all necessary measures are put in place to cushion the effects of delays or cancellations on their passengers.

The authority, while urging all passengers to exercise patience and understanding during this period as their safety is of utmost importance, advised airline operators and stakeholders to avail themselves of weather reports for effective planning in their operations as violations would be viewed seriously.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a warning that about 15 states across the country are anticipated to experience moderate to heavy rainfall in the next three days.

The agency also forecasts strong winds in at least 18 states from Friday, October 6 to Sunday, October 8.

This was contained in the latest edition of the Impact-based weather forecast bulletin issued by the Agency on Thursday, October 5.

On the rainfall predictions, the agency stated: “Prospects of moderate to heavy rainfall during the forecast period (0000 – 2359hrs, Friday 5th October 2023), exist over parts of Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Bauchi, Kaduna, Plateau, Taraba, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Kogi, Kwara, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ogun States.”

“There are chances of moderate to heavy rainfall on Saturday 7th October (0000 – 2359hrs), over parts of Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, Cross River, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Anambra, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti, Osun and Oyo State including the Federal Capital Territory.

Read Also: 48-hour rain to pound FCT, Edo, Kwara, 22 states, NiMET alerts

“There is likelihood of moderate to heavy rainfall on Sunday 8th October (0000 – 2359hrs), over parts of Taraba, Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Oyo, and Ogun States.”

The agency also noted that there is little or no chance of temperature-related hazards across the country due to the low to moderate temperatures that are anticipated during the period.

NiMet also stated that the FCT, Niger, Plateau, and 15 other States may experience strong winds in the next three days.

“In the next three days (6th, 7th, and 8th October 2023), there are prospects of strong winds to affect parts of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Niger, Katsina, Kwara, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Kaduna, Gombe, Nasarawa, Plateau, Adamawa, Taraba, Yobe and Borno States including the Federal Capital Territory.

The Nigerian Meteorology Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudiness and sunshine from Monday to Wednesday across the country

NiMet’s weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja forecast cloudy atmosphere over northern region.

It anticipated intervals of sunshine over the northern region with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Kano, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Jigawa, Katsina and Kaduna States in the morning hours.

“Later in the day, thunderstorms are envisaged over parts of Kebbi, Gombe, Zamfara, Bauchi, Kaduna, Yobe, Jigawa, Borno, Taraba, Adamawa and Kano states.

” Cloudy atmosphere is anticipated over the North Central region with chances of thunderstorms over parts of Niger, Benue, Kogi, Plateau, the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa states in the morning hours.

“Further into the day, thunderstorms are expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Kogi, Niger and Kwara States,” it said.

NiMet envisaged Cloudy atmosphere over the inland States of the South and the Coastal belt with chances of moderate rains over parts of Osun, Ondo, Edo, Ekiti, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.

According to NiMet, thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, Anambra, Edo, Cross River, Bayelsa and Delta States later in the day.

The agency forecast cloudy skies on Tuesday with spells of sunshine over the northern region with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Kebbi, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna, Jigawa, Bauchi and Gombe States.

It anticipated thunderstorms over parts of Taraba, Adamawa, Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe and Jigawa States.

NiMet envisaged cloudy skies over the central region with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Benue, Kogi,Kwara, Nasarawa and Niger states.

” Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected over the entire region.

“Cloudy atmosphere is expected over the Inland states of the South and its coastal cities with chances of rains over parts of Ebonyi, Edo, Abia, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Delta states in the morning hours.

” In the afternoon and evening hours, rains are envisaged over parts of Imo, Abia, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Edo, Ekiti, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Lagos and Akwa Ibom states,” it said.

According to the agency, cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are anticipated over the northern region on Wednesday.

It predicted chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi, Taraba and Kaduna States.

“Later in the day, there are prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Bauchi and Jigawa States.

“Morning thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Kwara, and Niger States.

” Later in the day, localized thunderstorms are expected over parts of Niger, Nasarawa, the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau and Kwara States, ” it said.

The agency anticipated cloudy skies over the southern region with chances of morning rains to parts of Imo, Abia, Oyo, Cross River, Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom States.

Read Also: Expect heavy rains in Ondo, Ogun, Osun, 26 others, NIMET alerts

It forecast rains over parts of Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Enugu, Delta, Bayelsa, Lagos and Cross River states later in the day.

According to NiMet, moderate to heavy rainfall could lead to flash floods. The public is advised to take necessary caution, avoid driving and walking through flood waters.

”Strong winds are likely to precede and accompany the thunderstorms, citizens are advised to take necessary safety precautions.

“Disaster Risk Managers, Agencies and individuals should be proactive, to avert loss of lives and property during the rainy season.

“All Airline operators are advised to avail themselves of weather reports and alerts periodically from NiMet for effective planning for their operation,” it said.

(NAN)