21 February 2024
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET has predicted delays in rainfall especially in the North Central States, while Borno, Abia and Akwa Ibom States will have early rains.
There will also be an early end of rainy season in parts of Yobe, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Ebonyi and Lagos States
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo announced this during the public presentation of the 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction, SCP, and unveiling of related publications in Abuja.
The Minister stressed that weather and climate had profound effects on aviation, agriculture, water resources, disaster risk management and infrastructure investment.
The Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) is an annual event coordinated by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency NIMET to provide critical information to help guide decision-making across all sectors of the nation’s economy.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo said that the SCP contained the predicted start and end dates of the growing season, expected amount of annual rainfall, temperature forecast, as well as malaria and meningitis vigilance.
He said that Flight safety and efficient air transport operations were largely dependent on accurate weather forecasts, and early warnings.
The Minister explained that the document had been summarized for Policy Makers, and translated into Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and Pidgin stressing a call for action.
The Chairman Senate Committee on Agric Production Services and Rural Development, Alhaji Mustafa Saliu called for more collaboration with the legislature to ensure adequate legislative backing on impact of climate change on Agriculture.
The Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo said when the Agency receive NIMET predictions, it generate and send advisory circulars warning pilots and operators of inherent dangers as predicted by NIMET.
An Airline Operator, Professor Obiora Okonkwo emphasized the need for sustained communication among all stakeholders to protect lives.
