BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) have entered into a collaborative agreement aimed at advancing maritime weather observation, early warnings and capacity building in marine meteorology across MOWCA member states.
The partnership, designed to strengthen maritime safety, was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on Thursday, December 5, 2024.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, NiMet’s Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Charles Anosike, highlighted the strategic importance of leveraging MOWCA’s regional reach to enhance weather service delivery across West and Central Africa.
“The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) is the authoritative voice on the state and behavior of Nigeria’s atmosphere and its interactions with all sectors of the economy.
NiMet is tasked with regulating and advising the Nigerian government on all aspects of meteorology to support sustainable economic development. Since weather, climate, and water cycles are beyond any single country’s control, international cooperation is essential for the advancement of meteorology,” Prof. Anosike explained.
He emphasised the shared challenges facing the region: “We share common problems of maritime safety and security, and the pollution of maritime waters, as West and Central Africa heavily relies on maritime transport.
The safety of maritime operations demands that weather information be broadcast to ships twice daily, in line with the SOLAS convention and the World Meteorological Organization guidelines. This data must include quality analysis, warnings, and weather forecasts.
Strengthening the collection and regional exchange of ocean-based observational data will generate additional socioeconomic benefits for our region.
“There is a critical need for investment in ocean observation infrastructure and capacity building to ensure that weather information reaches all shipping lines and fishing grounds in MOWCA member states.”
Professor Anosike concluded by highlighting the potential for both organizations to work together to promote compliance with the SOLAS convention and called for funding support to enhance regional ocean observation infrastructure.
“This partnership offers an opportunity to share critical marine weather information across member states, improving the safety and efficiency of maritime operations in the region,” he stated.
In his response, Dr. Paul Adalikwu, Secretary General of MOWCA, commended NiMet for its exemplary work in providing weather and climate information across various sectors, including maritime operations.
“The role of meteorological agencies in maritime operations cannot be overstated. They are pivotal in delivering accurate weather forecasts and timely warnings that greatly enhance the safety of vessels by predicting storms, tides, and sea conditions.
Considering the volume of vessels that traverse Nigerian waters, it is vital that we partner with NiMet, and encourage other stakeholders in the maritime sector to do the same. We have listened attentively to NiMet’s presentation and are impressed by the level of service.
We will elevate the issues raised, as well as the exceptional services NiMet provides, to our member states and encourage them to adopt the best practices that Nigeria has to offer,” Dr. Adalikwu affirmed.
