Consider NEMA’s Disaster Risk Management Implications In Policies, Decisions, NiMet Tells Nigerians

The Director General of Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu has called on “the States, the Press, private entities, and all Nigerians to carefully consider the 2002 Disaster Risk Management by NEMA for proactive decisions and policies that will help avoid losses and strengthen mitigation, adaptation and reduction of risks associated with floods.
In his Goodwill Message on the occasion of the Public Presentation of the disaster risk management implications of the 2022 flood predictions by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Matazu commended NEMA “for their consistency in taking up Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) Seasonal Climate Predictions (SCP) and the AFO by NIHSA year in year out for effective planning of weather-related disaster risk management in the country. This act is highly commendable and will not only save lives but also conserve resources for economic benefit of the entire nation. It is no news Climate is changing and this is a global reality with local evidences and attendant impacts. Over the last three decades, Nigeria has witnessed tremendous increase in temperature and rainfall amount with increased occurrences of high intensity, short duration thunderstorms which are always accompanied by strong winds and flash floods. Hence, the essence of early warnings and impacted-based predictions.”
He further stated that “climate change discourse is never complete without reference to the oceans as one of the key drivers in addition to greenhouse gases. A recent publication by World Meteorological Organization, greenhouse gas concentrations, sea level rise, ocean heat and ocean acidification are on the increase with harmful and long-lasting ramifications for sustainable development and ecosystems. Hence, more extreme weather occurrences. According to the WMO Secretary General, extreme weather has the most immediate impact on our daily lives and Early Warning Systems are critically required for climate adaptation.”
NiMet has since the February 15, 2022 released the Seasonal climate Prediction (SCP) for the year with its attendant socio-economic implications. The theme for this year’s SCP is Strengthening Climate Actions through Timely and Impact-based Climate Prediction for Economic Recovery. The effort to produce the prediction and release it to the public with sufficient lead-time, is part of NiMet’s Early Warning drives and for stakeholders, policy makers and the entire populace to take advantage of the prediction and advisories for adequate climate smart and weather-wise plans and decisions. For the year 2022, the rainfall has already been established in all southern states and most part of the central states in line with the predictions. Just a month away, rainfall is expected to have been established across the country. The rainfall amount is generally expected to be normal in most places, however, short duration, high-intensity rainfall that characterized the onset months usually comes along with flash floods due to excess runoffs and disastrous wind gusts.
In-season, likely flood occurrences as a result of cumulative rainfall and other factors as highlighted by NIHSA must be taken seriously.
NiMet has other arrays of other Early Warning Products and Services (e.g., Marine Bulletin, Hydrometeorological Bulletin, Agrometeorological bulletin, Climate and Health bulletin, High Impact Forecast bulletin, Heavy Rainfall Forecast bulletin, Daily Weather Outlook etc.) which are issued from time to time including regular updates to the Seasonal Climate Predictions Which should be taken advantage of.