From Walter Ukaegbu, Abuja.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has entered into a partnership with Zuma 828 Coal Limited of Eta-Zuma Group West Africa, for the provision of daily on-spot weather forecasts tailored specifically for the company’s coal mining activities.
The process of the partnership, which began early this year with free daily weather forecasts of Ankpa Local Government Area, Kogi State issued to Zuma Coal by NiMet, was said to be largely accurate, impressive, successful, and beneficial to the company.
According to the Director-General, NiMet, Professor Sani AbubakarMashi, ‘’the daily weather forecasts to be issued by NiMet to Zuma Coal, would aid the company to decide when to mobilize into the minefield for the obvious security of lives and property.’’
He said the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the regulating body for meteorological organizations worldwide stipulated that meteorological data should not be sold.
However, the WMO recognised and accepted the fact that every meteorological organization could charge a fee to recover the cost of generating data for purposes of sustaining its operations hence, the token charge for data.
The NiMet boss applauded the company for being law abiding by coming to the appropriate authority to obtain weather information for its operations.
He added that an eight-man MoU drafting committee, consisting of four team members each from both organizations should be constituted: “The committee will spell out the responsibilities of both parties to ensure mutual satisfaction in the relationship.”