Ignore research centre’s thunderstorm alert, NiMet tells Nigerians

NiMet, research centre clash over weather forecast 

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has accused the Nigerian Lightning Safety and Research Center (NLSRC) of usurping the agency’s authority by issuing a thunderstorm alert without its permission.

It therefore asked Nigerian to disregard the weather forecast given by the research centre on April 15.

The NLSRC, a non-governmental organisation registered in the USA, on April 15 issued a warning that 2.9 million lightening strikes are expected in Nigeria in May.

The centre named states with high risk of the lightening as Taraba, Ebonyi, Cross River, Delta, Imo, Abia, among others, urging Nigerians to stay indoors should they hear any thunder.

But NiMet in a statement issued by its General Manager in charge of Public Relations, Muntari Ibrahim, on Sunday discredited the forecast, adding “that at no time did it authorise NLSRC to issue any such weather forecast to the public, as this is the statutory function of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.”

NLSRC is liable

It also stated, “NiMet is statutorily mandated under Sections 7 (1) (a) and (i) of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency Establishment Act, 2022 (NiMet Act), to advise the Federal Government on ALL aspects of meteorology and to collect, process and disseminate all meteorological data and information within and outside Nigeria.

“NiMet is also the sole authority to prescribe and issue the meteorological data and information required for all sectoral activities in Nigeria (Section 7(2)).

“Further to the above-stated provisions, any person who collects, uses or disseminates weather forecast or any other meteorological information obtained from any other source outside the approval, licence or authority of the agency for commercial or public purpose, commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine or a term of imprisonment or both (Section 30 (2) of the NiMet Act).”

The agency said the public should disregard the information issued by the NLSRC.

No competition with NiMet – NLSRC

In response, the centre told NiMet that it had no intention of competing with the agency on its statutory functions.

It said the alert information was solely for the education and awareness of Nigerians.

It stated, “We acknowledge that NLSRC may not have received the necessary approval or authorisation from NiMet before issuing the weather forecast to the Nigerian public.

“However, we would like to assure you that our intention is to raise awareness about lightning safety and protection of lives, properties, and public infrastructures in Nigeria.

“We do not intend to compete with NiMet or any other government agency responsible for weather forecasting and dissemination of meteorological data and information.”

Ignore research centre’s thunderstorm alert, NiMet tells Nigerians