Nimet DG Backs Private Public Partnership To close Meteorological Deficiency Gap
- Applauds FAAN MD, Yadudu For Safety At Airports, others
The importance of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) as a sine qua non-factor to meeting up with over N1.5 trillion projected aviation infrastructure deficit annually in Nigeria has been further highlighted.
To this end, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has called for a Public-Private Partnership in the area of Meteorological infrastructure.
Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu, DG/CEO of NiMet while speaking at the Brazil-Nigeria Aviation Trade Forum (AVIDEF 2021), said the agency is seeking for partnership in the area of meteorological infrastructures to close the gap in meteorological deficiency.
Prof. Matazu who was represented by the Director of Finance and Accounts in the agency, Mr. Aliyu Sani, highlighted the importance of weather information as it concerns the economy. He said weather Information is not only critical for the growth of the country but also to avoid any adverse effects.
“If you partner with NiMet be sure of the return on investments in billions of naira, that I can assure you” he added.
AVIDEF 2021 is a forum organised by the Brazilian government to discuss ways in which aviation and security opportunities can be harnessed.
Highlights of the event included presentations by aviation and security experts, networking, interactive session, and meetings with key Nigerian government agencies.
Meanwhile, Matazu, in his goodwill message on the occasion of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) / Airport Council International-Africa (ACI-Africa) Safety Week 2021 said the agency was committed to improving infrastructure and equipment for weather observation and forecasting.
In a move to ensure that the giant steps taken and the gains made by the agency in the aviation sector in recent years are not eroded, he reiterated that on his assumption of office earlier this year, the management of NiMet constituted an Aviation Task Team.
The work of the team he said was to assess and evaluate the state of our equipment and infrastructure including human resources, across all the airports in the country, and make recommendations where necessary, for improved safety and service delivery.
According to him, the team has so far assessed the nation’s airports at Abuja, Kaduna, Lagos, Katsina, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Calabar Airports. Assessments of other airports have also been scheduled to commence soon.
Matazu, who is also the permanent representative of Nigeria with the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) stated that the aviation industry is evidently one of the industries globally, that works round the clock, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and all weeks year-round.
His words, “ Even at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry continues to operate at the forefront. The situation is no different in Nigeria where the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Aviation, continues to invest in the sector to ensure that our nation’s aviation is safe and secure for stakeholders and passengers”.
While applauding the excellent efforts made by the management of FAAN, led by Captain Rabiu Yadudu, he noted that the sector can only grow, without slowing down the current recovery efforts, if the lives and property are in, around, and going through our airports are safe.
Additionally, just like weather that has no boundary, he said aviation is one, globally, adding that the level of security at one airport is well connected to others, either as originating, alternate or destination flights.
“It is, therefore, a right event at the right time, to discuss ways of promoting collective and inclusive security and safety at our airports. Despite the current recovery being recorded in the industry around the world, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is still clearly visible to us. With dwindling revenue, funds to sustain security and safety are also limited.
“Hence, every effort to promote safety and security by any government must be encouraged. However, Government alone cannot do this, every industry player must come together to actualise security and safety as a culture in line with the vision of ICAO”.
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