The director general of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof Charles Anosike has said that the agency will be able to build observing capabilities, achieve better data coverage at national, regional, and global level, improve economic efficiency and close existing data gaps through the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS), National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs).
He stated this in Abuja while welcoming participants to the four-day training workshop for Regional WIGOS Centres in WMO Regional Association (RA 1 – West Central Africa).
The workshop which aims at equipping participants with sufficient skills to use the WIGOS tools particularly for Regional WIGOS Centres (RWC) functions, make them be aware and better understand their responsibilities related to RWIC functions.
Anosike noted that the North, Central and West Africa regions is facing challenges associated with diverse climatic conditions and the socio-economic impacts of weather extremes.
“We are vulnerable to droughts, floods and other weather and climate-related natural disasters that can have devastating effects on our economies. Therefore, strengthening meteorological infrastructure and human capacity has become a top priority”, he said.
He commended the WMO regional office for North, Central and West Africa for its continued support for capacity development in Africa, and the opportunities available to NMHSs in the region.
The workshop drew participants from across Africa including the WMO representative for North Central and West Africa, Mr Bernard Gomez.
