Reps to amend NiMET Act for effective operations

The House of Representatives has unveiled plans to amend the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) Establishment Act with a view to enhancing its operations across the country.

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation Technology, Hon. Abiodun Akinlade disclosed this in Abuja during a retreat organized by NiMet to intimate the members of the Committee on Aviation Technology on the workings and terminologies of the Agency and the challenges facing it.

The federal lawmaker from Ogun State called on NiMet’s Director-General to submit the necessary amendments to the NiMet Act, emphasizing that the retreat would strengthen the synergy between the committee and the agency.

He expressed optimism that this collaboration will engender improved legislative support to address key issues affecting NiMet.

In his address, Hon. Akinlade said, “This gathering today in effect provides a connection between the committee and NiMet in finding ways of building synergy towards engendering a seamless working relationship to address challenges that your Agency may grapple with through legislative input.

“One of such challenges which has now been resolved is the payment of 45 months arrears of minimum wage consequential adjustment, which working together doused the intended industrial strike by NiMet staff.

“Today, both the committee and NiMet staff are happy that through concerted efforts of the Committee, this has been paid and I want to thank NiMet staff for believing in the parliament.

“I also want to Salute the Ad-hoc Committee headed by my Deputy, Hon Sulaimon Yahya Richifa with the Federal Government directive to slash Aviation agencies‘ IGR deductions from 50% to 20% and NiMet’s incisive efforts to pull out of the IPPIS arrangement, the future looks bright and promising.

“The pivotal functions of NiMet cut across many sectors of life which includes the issuance of the weather forecast for safe operation of Aircraft, Defence, Agriculture, Marine, Transport, Environment, Climate Change Science and Technology to mention but a few, all these cannot be overemphasized.

“To be specific, NiMet has a lot to do in the arrear of weather forcast for our farmers so as to improve food production”.

In his remark, NiMet Director-General, Professor Charles Anosike, outlined the agency’s core responsibilities, including projecting, preparing and interpreting government policy on meteorology.

He underscored NiMet role in providing weather and climate forecasts for the safe operation of aircraft, maritime activities, agriculture, and oil rigs.

Professor Anosike also highlighted the agency’s responsibility for air quality monitoring and providing critical information to support environmental policies and public health initiatives.

He urged lawmakers to consider necessary amendments to the NiMet Act to improve the agency’s operations and welfare, particularly in terms of salary structure and overall worker benefits.

He called on federal lawmakers to give the agency the necessary legislative backing to fulfill its core objective in the field of meteorology.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE