The timing of the event was strategic and understandable, as
NiMet usually hold the public presentation of the vital document before the
start of the rainy season to allow adequate planning and policy formulation.
The SCP contains information on: onset and cessation dates
of the cropping season, length of the growing period, rainfall amount,
temperature forecasts for the hot season (January to April) and dry spell and
little dry season. It also contains information that has to do with malaria and
meningitis vigilance, and socio economic implications of the prediction.
The elaborate event was massively attended by diverse
representations from across the country and all sectors of the Nigerian
economy.
Speaking during his keynote address, the Minister of
Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika pointed out that, in addition to the COVID-19
pandemic which ravaged the global economy in the past few years, climate change
and climate variability continue to be a reality which Nigerians cannot shy
away from.
Senator Sirika who unveiled the 2022 SCP, noted that many
disastrous weather and climate events have continued to increase in intensity
and frequency, bringing untold hardship to the people and straining further
already fragile economy.
He reminded the audience that in recent weeks, Nigeria’s
aviation industry has witnessed many flights cancellation and delays to bad
weather causing economic losses and social discomfort.
A case in point is the recent outcry by airline operators in
the country, lamenting that in 2021 alone, all the operators lost a whopping
sum of about N20 billion due to flight delays and cancellations.
Vice President of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON ),
Barrister Allen Onyema who spoke on behalf of the local operators observed
that, most of these flight disruptions have been traced largely to weather
related matters.
The Minister therefore, commended the theme of this year’s
Seasonal Climate Prediction: “Strengthening Climate Actions through Timely and
Impact-based Climate Prediction for Economic Recovery, advising that, every
sector of the economy must therefore, put in place measures to alleviate the
sufferings of the people and improve the economy.
He equally applauded NiMet for the diligence put in place
continously to bring to Nigerians weather and climatological forecasts touching
on different areas of their socio-economic lives in accordance with its
mandate.
In his presentation, Director General /CEO of NiMet, Prof
Mansur Bako Matazu said that, the Seasonal Climate Prediction is one of NiMet’s
flagship products, an invaluable tool that has helped lots of farmers improve
their yields.
According to him, SCP has also helped increase and improve
the level of preparedness by Emergency Management Agencies, complement the
flood prediction by Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), and served as
an advisory tool for many stakeholders at the Federal, State and Local
Government levels.
He therefore, noted that the content of the document is
multi-sectoral, which will co-produce socio-economic implications of the
predictions and relevant stakeholders.
Explaining further, the importance of SCP to nation
building, Matazu who is a permanent representative of Nigeria with World
Meteorological Organisation (WMO) emphasised that “We are all living witnesses
to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and how many economies have struggled.
In Nigeria, one of the pathways for economic recovery is agriculture. However,
many of the agricultural practices are climate dependent and largely rainfed.
It is important to recognise the position of the Federal
Government of Nigeria on developing the agricultural sector for sustainable
green economy, focusing on food system development agenda that will lift
hundred (100) million Nigerians out of poverty within a decade”.
According to him, the Government aims to prioritise healthy
diets and affordable nutrition through inclusive, efficient, resilient, and
sustainable agriculture which will contribute to job creations and sustainable
economy growth.
Matazu however, informed that in compliance with
government’s progressive agenda, NiMet is excited to push this vision and help
in the recovery of the economy after the trying phase where the global pandemic
affected some of the gains made previously through agriculture.
“The vagaries of weather and climate is not limited to
agriculture. Other socio-economic sectors also have weather and climate as a
critical component. That is why the SCP, which will be unveiled today by the
Honourable Minister of Aviation, is very essential for all “, he said.
According to the DG, the challenges of variability in
climate viz a viz global warming which has in recent times given rise to high
rainfall amounts occurring within a short duration has made flash flood
episodes more frequent.
Several roads, he said were decimated in 2021, among which
are the Maiwa bridge, along Bauchi – Kano highway, Ningi local government area
of Bauchi state, the single day rainfall event of 16th July 2021 over Lagos
metropolis which flooded a large portion of Lagos Island including the popular
Balogun market.Increased severity of dry spells episodes in parts of Jigawa,
Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe and Nasarawa states”.
He warned that, with such recurring extreme events, the SCP
becomes a veritable tool to notify relevant stakeholders and emergency managers
of the anticipated rainfall pattern within the season for necessary mitigation
plans.
The NiMet boss equally appealed for strong collaboration
with organisations of government at all levels, as well as Non-Governmental
Organisations (NGO), adding that, their feedbacks are necessary input in
helping the agency improve the document and serve Nigerians better.
He maintained that NiMet services cut across aviation,
telecommunications, power and energy, agriculture, building and construction,
oil & gas, disaster risk reduction & management, education, defence,
marine & maritime, health, finance & insurance, among others, in
support of sustainable socio-economic activities in Nigeria.
Examining how NiMet came to limelight, the agency’s former
boss, Dr Anthony Anuforom traced the it to the immediate directive by the
minister of information to national Radio and Television stations to broadcast
NiMet’s daily predictions.
This Anuforom said gave the agency maximum recognition
across the country and expressed joy that NiMet has maintained its vibrancy
especially under the present management of Prof Matazu.
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