The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has reiterated its commitment to improving infrastructure and equipment for weather observation and forecasting under the present administration
The Director-General of NiMet, Professor Bako Mansur Matazu declared this in a good will message on the occasion of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Airport Council International-Africa (ACI-Africa) Safety Week 2021 in Abuja.
According to Matazu, in a move to ensure that the giant steps taken and the gains made by the NIMET in the aviation sector in recent years were not eroded, his management ensured that the state of the agency’s equipment and infrastructure including human resource, across all the airports in the country were evaluated with necessary action taken to improve safety and service delivery.
Matazu said the assessment team set up had so far assessed the nation’s airports at Abuja, Kaduna, Lagos, Katsina, Kano, Port Harcourt and Calabar Airports while the assessment of other airports have also been scheduled to commence soon.
While explaining that from the beginning to the end of every flight journey, that weather events were critical, he emphasised that the importance of availability of adequate information regarding current and predicted weather cannot be overemphasised.
Matazu who said despite the current recovery being recorded in the industry around the world, added that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was still clearly visible within hence, noted that with dwindling revenue, funds to sustain security and safety were also limited therefore, calling for support for every effort that will promote safety and security by any government.
His words: “I therefore, urge every stakeholder here present to continue to support government in the effort to ensure security and safety at our airports. Congratulation to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Airport Council International-Africa (ACI-Africa) for this laudable initiative. I wish everyone a fruitful, rewarding and engaging safety week campaign”
While applauding the excellent efforts being made by the management of FAAN, Matazu noted that the sector can only grow, without slowing down the current recovery efforts, if the lives and property in, around and going through the airports were safe.
“Additionally, just like weather that has no boundary, aviation is one, globally. The level of security at one airport is well connected to others, either as originating, alternate or destination flights. It is therefore a right event at the right time, to discuss ways of promoting collective and inclusive security and safety at our airports”
“While we all work hard to build security and safety culture at our airports, we must not lose sight of safety at take-off, airborne, and landing. This is largely dependent on the prevailing weather conditions at the airports and enroute. This is where we work tirelessly all-hours, as an agency of government, to ensure safety of lives and property onboard every flight.”
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