By Sade Williams
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) says it is committed to improving infrastructure and equipment for weather observation and forecasting under the present administration.
Bako Mansur Matazu, a professor and the director general of NiMet, in a goodwill message on the occasion of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)/Airport Council International-Africa (ACI-Africa) Safety Week 2021 in Abuja, said in a move to ensure that the giant steps taken and the gains made by the agency in the aviation sector in recent years are not eroded, NiMet will ensure that the state of its equipment and infrastructure, including human resource, across all the airports in the country were evaluated and necessary action taken to improve safety and service delivery.
Matazu said the assessment team set up has so far assessed the nation’s airports at Abuja, Kaduna, Lagos, Katsina, Kano, Port Harcourt and Calabar while the assessment of other airports have also been scheduled to commence soon.
He explained that from the beginning to the end of every flight journey, weather events are critical, hence the importance of availability of adequate information regarding current and predicted weather cannot be overemphasised.
According to Matazu despite the current recovery being recorded in the industry around the world, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was still clearly visible within, noting that with dwindling revenue, funds to sustain security and safety are also limited hence, every effort to promote safety and security by any government must be encouraged
He however noted that the government alone cannot do everything, saying that every industry player must come together to actualise security and safety as a culture in line with the vision of ICAO.
“I therefore urge every stakeholder here present to continue to support the government in the effort to ensure security and safety at our airports,” Matazu said.
While applauding the excellent efforts being made by the management of FAAN, led by Rabiu Yadudu, 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 are 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,” Matazu explained.
