Friday, 29th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

NIMET advocates accurate information for weather risk reduction

By Chika Goodluck-Ogazi
16 October 2015   |   12:10 am
Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has warned that the availability of timely and accurate information about impending severe weather phenomena is the first and critical step in weather disaster risk reduction by any country.

AircraftNigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has warned that the availability of timely and accurate information about impending severe weather phenomena is the first and critical step in weather disaster risk reduction by any country.

Speaking in a Keynote Address recently in Enugu, the Director General, NIMET, Dr. Anthony Anuforom said that: “Early warning is an essential part of emergency preparedness. It enables relevant agencies, communities and individuals at risk to plan and execute necessary precautionary measures such as evacuation of people at risk before the occurrence of a severe weather event, thereby reducing exposure to hazards”.

Spoke on the theme titled: “Reducing Climate Change Vulnerability in Africa: the Role of Science, Engineering Technology and Innovation (SETI) at the 6th Regional Conference of Vice Chancellors, Provosts, Deans of Science, Engineering & Technology (COVIDSET 2015).

The DG, who stated that Africa is the most vulnerable continent to the impacts of climate change, however emphasized that early warning is an essential part of emergency preparedness.
Anuforom further contended that climate change ranks among the greatest challenges facing contemporary human society, adding that hydro meteorological hazards contribute the largest proportion to worldwide natural disasters that threaten human lives and wellbeing.

He regretted that the situation also undermines sustainable development efforts of governments.

He explained that although climate change is a global challenge, Africa remains the most vulnerable continent in the world to its impact, stressing that while the human systems are highly exposed to extreme weather, the adaptive capacity is low.

Other contributory factors to the vulnerability of Africa, according to the DG are weak economic and technological power, lack or inadequate Early Weather Warning Systems, (EWS) and poor logistical infrastructure.

His words: “Other sociological issues such as local traditional and religious beliefs may also be contributory factors. The weak economy of most African countries also slows down the speed of recovery after the occurrence of weather disaster and makes the process of post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction more difficult”.

The NIMET boss listed agriculture in Africa as among the most vulnerable sectors to climate change in the world, lamenting that the implication of this is that the overall economic development of Africa is highly vulnerable to climate change.

0 Comments