Appropriate govt. policy framework on climate change to reduce populace vulnerability-Nimet boss

The Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (Nimet) Prof Mansur Matazu says appropriate government policy framework coupled with adaptation and mitigation strategies of climate change will help reduce the vulnerability of the populace and speed up development efforts in NiMet.

Speaking on Climate Issues, Opportunities And Solutions In Nigeria, at the British High Commission hosted by Youth Consultation on Climate Change and Nationally Determined Contributions, Prof Matazu explained that the agency has built infrastructure, develop competencies for effective service delivery of its service as indigenous but international in nature with global relevance.

According to the Nimet boss, with global relevant and visibility with Government support, Nimet’s products and services were available and multi-sectoral in applications and increasingly important to understand.

He stressed that government alone cannot do it, hence the need for effective collaborative partnerships. Integration of meteorological information into planning and implementation of development programs were strategies for managing weather-related risks in all sectors of the economy.

“Effective Collaboration with MDAs, State Governments, NGOs, Universities and Research Institutions on sustainable strategies to reduce the effects of climate change in Nigeria, these collaborative partnerships will only be sustainable with youths as Climate Actors and integral PART of the solution.”

“These NiMet services are key instrument to reduce effects of changing climate and restore the degrading ecosystem in the country. NiMet, as part of our statutory responsibility will continue to provide meteorological early warning system, identifying severe weather events related to climate change valuable”

Matazu explained that the agency embarked on making regular weather and climate predictions to help the public mitigate effects of climate change by way of Early Warning Systems (EWSs) and regular assessment of impacts of climate change

Matazu also explained that the agency also embarked on regular assessment of climate change and its impacts on the socio-economy activities of the country, through publications.

Such publications according to Matazu, include climate review bulletins (now State of the Climate in Nigeria), a grommet decadal review bulletins, drought, and flood bulletins, among others.

The Permanent Representative of Nigeria with WMO revealed that such publications strengthening organs of government, assists government by giving proper and timely advice to in formulation of policies that would help government mitigate the effects of climate change.

“The Director-General/ CEO of NiMet also stands as the Permanent Representative (PR) of Nigeria with WMO. Collaborate with other establishments: NiMet collaborates with stakeholders and other government agencies such as Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, NEMA, Federal Ministry of Environment, NIHSA, etc. to plan, prepare and respond on climate change issues. Early Warning Systems: The agency has put several Early Warning Systems in place to help alert the public and stakeholders on impending hazardous weather and climate events.”