HOR To Strengthen NiMET’s Services For National Safety

The House of Representatives has reaffirmed its commitment to improving and strengthening the services of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMET, for national safety. ‎

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation Technology, Mr Tajudeen Abisodun, made this commitment during a public hearing on a bill to amend the Nigerian Meteorological Agency Establishment Act 2022. ‎

Mr Abisodun explained that the amendment was imperative in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the country’s meteorological agency.

“This bill is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of our Meteorological Agency, which plays a vital role in ensuring the safety of lives and property, particularly in the aviation sector,” he said. ‎

The lawmaker said that the proposed amendments were focused on key sections that require urgent attention, specifically to amend section 13, sub-section 2.

According to Mr Abisodun, these amendments are designed to strengthen the agency’s capacity to provide accurate and timely weather forecasts, warnings and advisories.

Mr Abisodun, who reiterated the imperative of NIMET‘s quality service delivery, said that the bill would enable pilots and air traffic controllers to access reliable and accurate weather information for informed decisions.

Earlier, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Abbas Tajudeen, represented by the Deputy Chief Whip Ibrahim Isiaka, described the public hearing as a reaffirmation of the House of Representatives commitment to efficiency, accountability and transparency.

Dr Tajudeen, who noted that prioritisation of the citizens’ needs was imperative, said the House would continue to provide legislative support in enhancing Nigeria’s safety and economic growth.

On his part, the sponsor of the bill, Mr Abiodun Akinlade, said that the aim of the bill was to reposition NiMET for citizens safety and economic growth.

Mr Akinlade said that NiMET was the only agency mandated by law to give meteorological data for national safety.

Also speaking, the Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Prof Charles Anosike, said that the purpose of the presentation was to justify the proposed amendments.

Prof Anosike particularly supported the proposal for a cost recovery framework to ensure sustainable delivery of critical meteorological services to sectors such as marine, construction and telecommunications.

The NIMET DG expressed the need for users of specialised meteorological services to pay costs associated with the provision of such services.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji