By Dele Ogbodo
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Mr. Festus Keyamo, on Friday expressed Nigeria’s preparedness to continually provide support through the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and AGRHYMET for the regional climate outlook forum for West Africa and the Sahel through hosting its 2024 forum in Abuja, tagged: PRESSAS 2024.
According to the Minister, the real work of downscaling the outcomes of the regional workshop to our local and rural communities has started, pointing out that this is the only way the United Nations’ (UN) target of Early Warning for All (EW4ALL) by 2027 can be met.
He underscored that the outcome of the regional climate outlook will remain a great planning tool for governments and policymakers across the region.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2024 PRESASS workshop for participants from 24 ECOWAS members and from other regions, in Abuja, Keyamo, said: ”Federal Government is aware of the great challenge of the 21st Century, climate change, extreme weather events and food security to mention a few.
To combat these challenges, it has become imperative that weather and climate information are not only accurate but also produced and disseminated early. Thus, the need for Early Warnings.
He said: “Over the past few days, experts, researchers, and the best minds in meteorology and climate sciences from across the West African sub-region and the Sahel have dedicated their energy and intellect to developing a comprehensive forecast for the region, targeting the coming rainy season.
“These experts have had discussions and have analysed the prevailing climatic conditions of our region and their potential impact in the coming season.
“Today, we are not only here to communicate the outcome of their hard work but also to celebrate these men and women who have worked assiduously to ensure the success of this forum.
“Like most countries in the region, Nigeria is also affected by the devastating effects of extreme weather and climate events. We are presently experiencing extreme temperatures and heat stress in most parts of the country.
“In 2022, we had one of the worst cases of flooding in decades. For weeks, the movement of people and goods between the Northern and Southern parts of the country was severely disrupted.
“By the end of that flood period, millions of people had lost their homes and livelihoods, properties worth millions of Dollars had been destroyed, investments in farms and other agricultural products had disappeared, and lives had been lost.”
According to him, federal government has taken seriously the issuance of EW4ALL for its citizenry to de-risk sectoral activities and avert losses, adding that earlier in the year, NiMet had a public presentation of the Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), an early warning tool that highlights vital weather and Climate information that may affect socio-economic activities in air, land, and water transportation, agriculture, water resources, disaster management and mitigation, health, tourism, sports, power and energy etc.
“In keeping with our commitment to support regional efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change and encourage weather and climate-smart sustainable development, government will continue to support regional efforts, such as the successful hosting of this year’s regional climate outlook forum, in ensuring socio-economic development of the people.
“As we settle down to listen and discuss the details of the forecast produced for West Africa and the Sahel Region for the 2024 rainy season, my message is that as we return home to our various countries with the information and forecast from this year’s forum, we should ensure that these products don’t end up inside the shiny offices in our capital cities.”
In a remark, the Country Representative of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), for North, Central and West Africa, Dr. Bernard Gomez who was represented by Mr. Rolland Abah, said: “On behalf of the S-G of the World Meteorological Organization, I am delighted to be delivering this remark at the end of the seasonal forecasting workshop for Agro-Hydro-Climatic characteristics for the Sahelian and Sudanian zones of West Africa and the Sahel (PRESASS 2024).
“I wish to commend AGRHYMET, other partners and NiMet for successfully hosting the workshop in Abuja Nigeria.”
AGRHYMET, he explained is currently undertaking the process of accreditation by WMO to become the Regional Climate Centre for West Africa and the Sahel.
Gomez, reiterated that the output of this workshop provides additional Early Warning information for the countries in West Africa and the Sahel to support localized forecast and effective planning to mitigate climate-related hazards envisaged in 2024.
“I wish to commend the Minister for making himself available in person to support the process and production of Climate Predictions and Early Warning as access to this information is a basic human right. Your literature of achievements precedes you.
“Climate change poses existential threats, and this is why the United Nations Secretary General has urged all countries to ensure that Early Warning Systems cover all citizens by the year 2027.
“I wish to congratulate AGRHYMET, ACMAD, Partners and all Countries that participated in this year’s edition.”