In a bid to improve its high impact weather forecasting capacity through the utilization of total
lightening data and latest point forecasting techniques to provide related services to its customers
and stakeholders, the Nigerian Meteorological agency has kick-started the installation of equipment in collaboration with Earth Network.
The DG NiMet Prof Mansur Matazu made this known during a ceremony to flag off the installation of equipment in Abuja.
Speaking on the significance of the equipment, the DG said it will enhance NiMet’s service delivery.
“The objective of the collaboration is to support the capacity of NiMet to further develop its service
offerings/delivery through working together to deploy EN Stations in various locations that will
contribute to the Nigeria Total Lightning and Mesoscale AWS Network (NTLMAN) and enable EN
forecasting services (ENcas)”.
He also shed light on the nature of the equipment installed.
“As part of the execution of the MoU, the Agency has received ten (10) AWOS, ten (10)
Lightning Detectors and their required accessories at no commercial value to it”.
“The equipment will be installed at NiMet
facilities and partner institutions in Nigeria to enhance the
quality of the data set required to fulfil the terms of the MoU.
The installation of the equipment is combined with capacity building for NiMet officials”.
Prof Matazu further said the collaboration will result in improved revenue for the agency.
“Therefore, NiMet and EN will collaborate to jointly deploy, and operate the NTLMAN and distribute
data and derivative services within Nigeria. This partnership will lead to a wide base of internally
generated revenue for the Agency with the provision of needed services to various sectors of the
economy”.
The African Representative, Earth Network USA, Mr JeanBlaise Ngamini said the equipment would give advance warning of adverse weather early enough to enable the necessary preparations to avert disaster in terms of deployment of equipment and personnel.
The memorandum of understanding between NiMet and Earth Network USA was signed on August 18 2021.
Earth Networks (EN) developed a lightning detection and surface weather monitoring technology
that detects a large portion of in-cloud (IC) and Cloud to Ground (CG) lightning. EN utilizes data to
enhance weather forecast and enable its proprietary products known as dangerous ‘Thunderstorm
Alerts’ and pulse raid respectively. EN also produces and delivers high resolution proof forecasts
known as ENcast and other derivative products
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