In an effort to enhance the safety of operations within the waterways across Nigeria, the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) have signed a crucial Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) at NiMet’s headquarters in Abuja.
This collaboration aims to strengthen the capacity of both agencies by providing relevant meteorological data, tools, products, and services to floating equipment and shippers, ensuring the safety of navigation. Moreover, it seeks to promote the safe and sustainable development of inland waterways, thereby fostering enhanced socio-economic activities in the country. One of the primary goals of this partnership is to establish marine meteorological observatories/stations at various ports and locations of NIWA, facilitating safe water navigation within the inland waterways and reducing the occurrence of extreme weather-related fatalities.
Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, emphasized that this collaboration aligns with the agency’s commitment to fostering synergy with relevant stakeholders to enhance the public services it provides. He reiterated NiMet’s mandate of delivering effective weather services and products to various sectors of the economy, underscoring that weather concerns everyone.
Furthermore, Prof. Matazu highlighted NiMet’s significant strides in water research development, notably through the Central Maritime Forecast Station in Lagos, complemented by other sub-stations in eight different locations nationwide.
In response, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NIWA, Chief Dr. George Moghalu, expressed his confidence in NiMet’s capabilities. He believes that with NiMet’s assistance, NIWA can effectively mitigate fatal disasters, particularly those associated with extreme weather conditions. This will lead to the growth of the economy and an improved safety management system for waterway navigation.
The signing of this MoA marks a crucial step forward in bolstering the safety of waterway operations in Nigeria, and both agencies are determined to work together to ensure the success of this important initiative.
