WMD: NiMet Boss Highlights The Importance Of Early Warning

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency ( NiMet), says early warning systems against adverse effects of inclement weather conditions are a proven, effective adaptive measure, which can save lives calling for better synergy between it and disaster managers nationwide.

Reemphasizing the critical role of meteorology on everyday affairs, Director General/ Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Professor Mansur Bako Matazu, at the World Meteorological Day 2022 celebrations held at Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau Conference Centre, Abuja reiterated some of the costly effects of such adverse weather.

According to him, the economic value of losses to the 2012 flood was still fresh in mind but that has been on the decline and various effect hazardous weather conditions have been minimal due to early warning

Professor Matazu said, “In the recent decades, incidences of extreme weather events such as tropical cyclones, devastating hurricanes, ferocious wildfires, floods, heatwaves, drought, landslides, etc. have been on the increase with attendant socio-economic impacts that have threatened food security, the safety of lives and properties, livelihoods, human security, nutrition, and health etc.

“Though the economic value of the 2012 losses due to flood had proved difficult to forget, losses attributed to weather, and the climate-related event has been on the decline.

“In 2021, a lot of ‘first’ recorded events took place in terms of rainfall amount but losses have been minimal. This is a direct result of investment in meteorological service to be better positioned to issue timely, accurate and reliable weather prediction.”

“NiMet is the organization saddled with the responsibility of advising the government and people of Nigeria on every aspect of meteorology including the socio-economic impacts of climate and weather. That is why we join the rest of the world to celebrate this year’s 2022 World Meteorological Day, with the theme “Early Warning and Early Action.