The Director General National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Mustapha Habib Ahmed was among eminent personalities present as the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) unveiled the 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) for Nigeria today in Abuja.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Mr. Festus Keyamo led the dignitaries at the occasion to unveil the 2024 SCP. In his keynote address, the Minister gave some highlights from the predictions, particularly regarding to onset and cessation of rains, dry spells, growing season and other important weather information contained in the document. He said the SCP has also been “summarized for policy makers and translated into Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Pidgin English to promote wide uptake of information and increase access for all.”
In his goodwill message, the Director General NEMA Mustapha Habib Ahmed commended the Minister of Aviation Mr Keyamo, Director General NiMet Professor Charles Anosike for their leadership in facilitating timely release of the 2024 SCP. He also commended the management of NIMET and all the scientists that have worked assiduously to produce the 2024 SCP at the right time to enable NEMA and numerous other partners to begin their Annual Work Plans for the year.
As follow-up to the unveiling of the SCP, he disclosed that NEMA will be bringing together Technical Experts from NiMet and other relevant Agencies to analyze the Disaster Risk Implication of the SCP and develop necessary advisories to guide all NEMA partners to mitigate losses from disaster across the nation.
The NEMA DG further said “that the prevailing flood disaster in Nigeria is beckoning on us all to intensify our inter-Agency collaboration to mitigate the impacts of hydro meteorological hazards in the country.”
Excerpt on Disaster Risk Management from the 2024 SCP says there will be “normal to below-normal rainfall activities across most parts of the country. Coastal cities and low-lying areas of Niger, Benue, Kogi, Port Harcourt and Anambra are at higher risk of flooding. Several disasters can occur during the onset and cessation period of the rainy season due to heavy storms associated with that period. Flash floods cannot be ruled out because of excessive rainfall expected in some areas. Accessing and applying early warning information is very effective for reducing the risks of weather induced disasters.“
However, there are details on the 2024 SCP and other relevant information.
Speakers at the occasion were former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who spoke virtually. Others speakers included the former Aviation Minister Dr Kema Chikwe, Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Abubakar Momoh, Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas) Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo and DG NIHSA Engr Clem Onyeaso Nze
20th February, 2024
