The Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Mr Obiora Okonkwo met with the new director general of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof Charles Anosike and pledged the support of the airline operators to enable him achieve the mandate of the agency.
Okonkwo stated this during a courtesy visit to Anosike at NiMet’s head office in Abuja.
He said Anosike’s appointment is not misplaced adding that the director general is a cerebral and highly focused person.
He said Anosike’s appointment “reinforces the importance the government attaches to this very important agency that is critical not only to the aviation, oil and gas, and agricultural sectors, but also to other critical sectors of the economy.”
He further described as a “seasoned leader and administrator, with proven track record of management of men and materials,” adding “I have no doubt that he will bring the necessary leadership to the organisation.”
Okonkwo also said operators in the aviation industry yearn for closer partnership and collaboration with NiMet.
“The service NiMet provides is strategic. We don’t have to wait for when there is impending flood to access NIMET’s services. For the aviation sector, the airlines require weather information one week or even one month ahead so that we can plan our flight schedules accordingly.”
However, Okonkwo complained that flight disruptions have been a recurrent decimal and prayed the agency to inform the public ahead about weather conditions.
“It is becoming increasingly difficult for operators to explain the disruptions to passengers. Operators don’t like delays as well. We know that NiMet cannot change the weather but the agency should inform the public ahead about weather conditions”.
“We suggest that NIMET starts daily weather updates to passengers so as to prepare their minds ahead of weather disruptions especially during this harmattan season.
“Government tends to be on the side of the passengers when they complain of disruptions. Airline operators also suffer from such disruptions. We request that NiMet liaises with all the sister agencies in the aviation sector to demand that all airport operators should provide the right equipment to aid aircraft landing such as instrument landing system (ILS). These machines are lying unused in some of the airports. Any airport that does not fix its equipment should be sanctioned by the federal government,” he added.
Responding, Anosike assured Okonkwo that “NiMet is ready to collaborate, partner and support the airline operators”, “improve the way NIMET works” and “take your advice on board.”
