…as Agency bags Service provider of the year award
Posted by Sade Williams
The Director General Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu, has said that the sustainability of the aviation sector requires the patriotism, diligence and cooperation of all stakeholders, both home and abroad.
This is just as the agency has been conferred with the Service Provider of the Year 2022 Award by the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) at its 27th annual conference on Thursday, in Lagos.
The award which was in recognition of NiMet’s improved service delivery to the aviation industry and the general public
Speaking on the theme of the conference, ‘Aviation Industry: Changing Times, Changing Strategies’, Matazu said the Aviation Industry in Nigeria is one of the fastest growing industries with tremendous contribution to the nations’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by providing revenue to the nation, livelihoods for workers, catalytic support to other sectors’ growth for the nation among others, hence the brace up in the face of emerging challenges by adopting innovative ways for sustainability.
“Sustaining the industry requires that all stakeholders within and outside the industry play critical roles that are not only patriotic but that will not sabotage socio-economic development of the industry and the nation at large. It requires patriotism, honesty, integrity, and diligence of public and private institutions including national and international Stakeholders.
“We have learnt by COVID experience that the industry is highly dynamic, vulnerable, fast-paced in terms of changing technology, and thus require forward thinking initiatives and policies to keep up with success. The industry therefore requires strategic long-term planning and innovations in relation to aviation business or economics, manpower management and competencies, infrastructure development, airline management, airport operations, Public-Private Sector financing, Airport Security, Safety of lives and property among many others. Hence, the theme for this year’s annual conference is very apt.”, he said.
Represented by the Director of Research and Training, Prof. Effiom Essien Oku at the event, Matazu also charged the media to join hands in uplifting the sector through positive and balanced reportage.
“The role of the media in nation building is very important and it requires courage, selflessness and truth while being patriotic. Such is the role of LAAC in the aviation industry. As the Nigeria’s aviation media umbrella body with the responsibility of ensuring adequate coverage and reportage of activities within the industry, LAAC is strategic to the Visibility, Relevance and Growth of the Industry.”, he added.
Earlier, he reveled that NiMet, under his watch, has invested heavily on facility upgrade with a view to Improving efficiency of the agency.
He also called on the public to uptake the Early Warning for Early Action information from the Agency into their plans and programmes even beyond aviation for continuous proactive actions to avert losses, promote sustainable development and improve livelihoods.
“We have invested and continue to invest in facility upgrades to promote efficiency of our operations. Our briefing rooms have been equipped and access to aeronautical weather information has been improved through automation.The Agency develops various products and services that are reliable, accurate, timely and actionable. These include the Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) which highlights vital Weather and Climate information that may affect socio-economic activities in air, land, and water transportation, agriculture, water resources, disaster management and mitigation, health, tourism, sports, power & energy etc.
“NiMet will continue to sensitize Nigerians on weather and climate related issues via our different products and services. The Agency will sustain efficiency, excellent cooperation, competency, and uncompromising actions in the provision of products and services for the sustainable development of the aviation industry in Nigeria.”
