Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, (NiMet), Prof. Mansur Matazu has observed that government funding of meteorological activities such as instrumentation, new technologies, equipment, welfare, communication, and data exchange are grossly inadequate, making it important for Public Private Partnership to be embraced and explored.
The NiMet boss said this on Monday at the 1st French-Nigeria Meteorological Seminar & Business Meetings, taking place between 13th & 14th of November 2023 in Abuja.
The two-day workshop was aimed at gathering the Authorities, Stakeholders and Private companies involved in the Meteorology & Hydrology sectors to discuss specific contemporary matters and issues.
It was also intended for the French Companies and Institutions to introduce their products and solutions; and discuss potential areas of collaboration.
Prof. Matazu reminded the audience that the world economies were struggling due to various challenges around the globe, including natural and man-made disasters, and the fact that most countries were yet to stabilise due to the devastating COVID-19 experience.
He said this was in addition to the cost of conducting meteorological business which was also increasing amidst staff attrition due to inadequate remuneration and many others.
He said as a Service Provider, my Agency, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) in line with its establishment mandate continued to promote and implement activities in support of national socio-economic development across all sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Prof. Matazu said: “NiMet provides round-the-clock weather information that are critical for aviation operations and development as many must have consumed our service in making it to this workshop.
“The Agency also develops various products and services that are reliable, accurate, timely and actionable such as the Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), an Early Warning tool, 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 & energy etc.
“Other products include the Marine inshore and offshore forecasts, public weather forecasts, Impact-based weather forecast, Heavy rainfall forecasts and many more.”
“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, make it more critical for the adoption of available credible Public Private Partnerships and Engagements that will provide innovative and cost-effective technological solutions that will proffer ease of doing business for maximum impacts.
“The foregoing therefore gives credence to the aptness of this workshop, and I assure you of Nigeria’s friendly business environment with adequate legal frameworks.”
He appreciated the French Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Mrs. Emmanuelle BLATMANN, and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Barrister Festus Keyamo for supporting the initiative.
He also congratulated the Management of Business France Nigeria (i.e. the commercial department of the French Embassy), and Prométéo, the French Meteorology & Hydrology Association, the Management and Staff of NiMet, the Conference Organising Committee for organising the highly important meeting, the first of its kind between Meteorological Community in Nigeria and in France.
Dignitaries at the event included the Permanent Representatives of Cameroon, Ghana, Rwanda and Uganda with the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).
They included Mr TCHINDA Tazo Simplice, Mr Eric ASUMAN, Mr Aimable GAHIGI, and Dr. Bob Alex Ogwang for making out time to grace the important workshop.
He enjoined them to enjoy the hospitality, diversity, and culture of the good people of Nigeria.
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