The Federal government has developed a framework for the application of climate services (NFACS). According to the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika it is a ” downscaled version of the Global Framework on Climate Services(GFCS) to enable Nigeria better manage the risks while maximising opportunities arising from climate variability and change”.
The Minister who spoke at the 2020 annual Seasonal rainfall prediction presentation organized by Nimet emphasized the importance of the SRP for planning.
“The Rainfall Prediction highlights vital weather and climate information that may affect socio-economic activities in the air, land and water transportation; agriculture; water resources; disaster management and mitigation; health; tourism; sports; energy sectors; etc, in course of the year”.
Sirika presented the predictions for 2020 which include a near normal l to normal onset and cessation but warned that there is a likelihood of flash floods in some areas.
“The Predicted 2020 onset of the growing season is expected to be ‘near-normal to earlier than normal in most parts of the country’ with the earliest onset date likely to occur on the 24th of February around the coastal zone of the south-south states while states like Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno are predicted to likely have their onset from 2nd June, 2020”.
” A ‘normal to later than normal’ cessation is expected across the country. The earliest cessation date, 26th September 2020 is expected around Katsina and the northern parts of Sokoto while the latest cessation date is expected on the 28th December, 2020 over the Niger-Delta region”.
The Minister said, the President had shown his commitment to solving the climate crisis by signing the 2015 Paris agreement.He harped on the need to improve on tracking and monitoring extreme weather.
“The Federal Government is very committed to supporting the advancement of Meteorology for national development in all sectors. Mr. President’s zeal in signing the ‘Paris Agreement’ in 2015 is a testimony to his conviction the ‘Climate Crisis’(which is increasing in intensity and manifested by the day) will have to be tackled head-on. Ladies and Gentlemen, this cannot be achieved if we are unable to improve on tracking and monitoring extreme weather and climate events. We shall in this respect continue to support and encourage NiMet to do more in order to meet the aspirations of Mr. President and deliver on the country’s commitment to the Paris Agreement”.
The Director General NIMET, Prof Sani Mashi while analysing the predictions warned about preonset which could give signals of a false start to farmers and warned against rushing to plant as a result of these incidences of rainfall before the onset proper as it would lead to losses for farmers.
Earlier the Director, Applied Meteorological Services, Engr. Mailadi Yusuf Abba Misau, noted in his welcome address that the agency “has strived to ensure that the 2020 SRP and the 2019 Climate Review are issued early enough for sector planners to start planning early to take advantage of the predictions as they relate to their sectors, and, for researchers to take stock of what happened last year. The result is what we are witnessing today with your support and cooperation – the presentation of the 2020 SRP in the first month of the year!”
The SRP was attended by stakeholders in various sectors who commended the Meteorological agency for it’s accuracy in prediction over the years and its contribution in agriculture and other planning.
A review of the 2019 Rainfall showed that most parts of the country recorded above normal rainfall except the FCT which recorded below normal rainfall.
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