All Posts in "Aviation"

FAAN staffers spend N450m on tickets to sign document in Abuja, relocation is certain – Keyamo

By Favour Nnabugwu
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, says there is no going back on the relocation of the headquarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) from Abuja to Lagos
“We are going ahead. The directive has been given,” the minister said matter-of-factly on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Wednesday.
He said it was uncalled for the half a billion FAAN staff spent on flight ticket annually to bring document through and from Abuja for signing
“You see them flying every day to and fro Abuja to get one file signed. They fly every day back and forth. In one year, they spent close to half a billion naira on flight tickets. N450m on flight tickets alone,” he said.
Keyamo said the movement of the headquarters of the airport authority has become necessary in line with current economic and operational realities.
all aviation agencies from Lagos to Abuja in 2020, no adequate provision was made for the principal officers like the directors and the departments under them.
He clarified that the headquarters is where the decision-makers meet, not where the largest number of workers are and not where the biggest building is.
He said over 100 of the 132 workers at the head office are in Lagos while only the directors are in Abuja — without their support staffers.
Keyamo said the whole issue was compounded by the fact that FAAN is not yet digitalised and so, in one year, they spent half a billion naira on flight tickets between Lagos and Abuja alone.
Patoma Admin by — February 1, 2024 in Aviation 0
NiMET DG seeks collaboration with other agencies on disaster risk reduction, climate change

By Favour Nnabugwu
The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, has called for collaboration amongst relevant agencies with a view to disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.
Speaking in Abuja today, Prof. Anosike at the ‘Technical Workshop On Sendai Framework Monitoring And Reporting’, organized by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
According to Prof. Anosike, “Disasters pose significant challenges to our nation, and we must work together to enhance our coordination mechanism with disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation for better understanding and communication of cost benefit. By fostering partnerships and collaboration, we can collectively strengthen Nigeria’s resilience and effectively mitigate the impacts of disasters”.
Professor Anosike said that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) recognizes the vital role it plays in providing accurate and timely weather information, forecasting, and climate services.
“By utilizing the Sendai Framework Monitor, we can develop data-driven strategies that will lead to informed decision-making, more resilient communities, and sustainable development”, Professor Anosike concluded.
Patoma Admin by — January 31, 2024 in Aviation 0
Meteorology plays major role in solid minerals development in Nigeria…NiMet DG/CEO 

CAPTION:
L – Dr. Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Prof. Charles Anosike, DG/CEO, NiMet, Mr Frank Aigbogun, Publisher, Business Times Newspaper at the at the one-day ‘Solid Minerals Conference’ organized by Business Day newspaper in Abuja today.
By Favour Nnabugwu
Meteorological sciences plays a big role in improving operational safety in the mining sector across the country
This formed part of the paper titled, ‘Intersection Between Climate Change Concerns And The Mining Industry- The Role Of NiMet’, presented by the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Charles Anosike, at the one-day ‘Solid Minerals Conference’ organized by Business Day newspaper in Abuja today
According to Prof. Anosike, mines and all the activities related to mining are some of the most weather- vulnerable industries in the world; as the mines are often 
located in geographically and climatically challenging locations.
He said that weather can and does affect mining operations, posing risks that can compromise workers’ safety and lead to delays and disruption in 
productivity.
“As the climate changes, extreme weather events are growing in frequency and bringing challenges to mining safety, productivity and profitability. It is however interesting to note that the federal government is already taking some actions in this regard.
According to the Minister of 
Solid Mineral Development, Dr Dele Alake, as quoted in a ThisDay newspaper story of October 2023, the Federal Government is pursuing diversification from hydrocarbons to make the minerals sector a major 
revenue contributor to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as its 
contribution to mitigate climate change impact.
Continuing, Prof. Anosike said; “Real-time weather forecasts, warnings, and 
information on climatic conditions are essential for ensuring the safety of operations especially where 
weather conditions can significantly impact safety.
‘Accurate meteorological data‭ ‬helps in assessing and mitigating risks associated with extreme weather events such as storms, floods etc. This is critical in minimizing potential damages to 
infrastructure and ensure the safety of personnel”.
While speaking on climate change and its sectorial impact, Professor Anosike said that some of the most significant effects of climate change that are notable in Nigeria include increase in uncertainties of the onset of rainy season (false onset), shifts in rainfall onset and cessation periods.
 “Nigerians have experienced sea level rise, overwhelming heat, and extreme weather events in recent years. However, with adequate weather and climate information, there is increase in climate actions and resilience”.
He said that NiMet’s new Establishment Act 2022 gives the agency the impetus as a regulator of all aspects of meteorology in Nigeria to commercialize meteorological data by partnering the private sector.
“We are looking forward to engaging the private sector on how NiMet can provide customised weather and climate data for their organisations. Meteorological information‭ ‬supports effective 
planning and optimization of mining and other activities, including scheduling operations based on favourable weather conditions and managing 
inventory efficiently”.
Prof. Anosike also informed the audience of the public presentation of NiMet’s Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), which is scheduled for Tuesday, 20th February, 2024 at the NAF Conference Centre and Suites, Abuja.
The SCP is an early warning tool that provides information to all sectors of the Nigerian economy to respond to climate extremities over the next one year.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake and several industry experts were part of the conference.
Patoma Admin by — January 30, 2024 in Aviation 0
NiMet epitomises commercialization of Meteorological data, capacity development

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

 

The  Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet),has epitomises the commercialization of meteorological data and staff capacity development,

In line with the vision of the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, SAN, for the aviation sector., NiMET led by the Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Charles Anosike determined to achieve the feat

The Minister had charged Aviation agencies to prioritize staff welfare including training etc, improvement in safety, increase in internally generated revenue amongst others.

It is along this line that the management organized a training and interactive session between officials of the agency and officials of Tomorrow.io, a Boston, Massachusetts, USA – based weather intelligence company.

The session was held on Thursday, 25th January, 2024, at NiMet headquarters in Abuja, one day after NiMet and Tomorrow.io had signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on a whole range of areas including commercializing weather data, improving accuracy of weather and climate forecasts, and application of artificial intelligence (Ai) in weather and climate intelligence.

Patoma Admin by — January 25, 2024 in Aviation 0
NiMet pacts with Tomorrow.IO on digital weather, climate intelligence

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

 

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has signed a memorandum of understanding with a leading weather intelligence company, Tomorrow.io.

The MoU with Tomorrow.io, a leading weather intelligence company based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, with footprints across Africa and the Middle East, will see NiMet and the firm collaborate on a whole range of areas including commercializing weather data, improving accuracy of weather and climate forecasts, and application of artificial intelligence (Ai) in weather and climate intelligence.

Speaking at the MoU signing at NiMet in Abuja today  headquarters in Abuja today, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Professor Charles Anosike said; “We have found good partners in Tomorrow.io. We are aspiring to actualize the mandate given to NiMet by the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, on revenue generation and improved safety of the aviation sector. This MoU will help us achieve that”.

“As an agency, NiMet is already doing a lot. We are always on the lookout for partners that will help us improve and expand on our services. Ai and technology are playing leading roles in weather and climate forecasts.

“This partnership with Tomorrow.io will help us to do more for our various stakeholders across the socio-economic sectors we serve including aviation, agriculture, marine, oil and gas, construction, academia etc”.

Speaking, Mr Yaniv Gelnik, Director of Africa Expansion at Tomorrow.io said that experience from Kenya and in the other countries they serve shows that it’s possible to downscale weather and climate information daily to users especially farmers in usable formats.

This will help them in planning. Farmers will be able to receive via their mobile handsets weather intelligence daily, wherever they are and in a language of their choice. That’s part of the value proposition that Tomorrow.io is bringing to the partnership with NiMet. Ai allows for precise, unique, efficient and faster weather and climate forecasts compared to current systems and models. This will be of immense value to NiMet’s value-chain stakeholders”.

Patoma Admin by — January 24, 2024 in Aviation 0
NiMet parleys Stakeholders On 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

Ahead of the public presentation of 2024 seasonal climate prediction (SCP), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet,  hosted stakeholders in Abuja, to discuss the socio-economic impact of the SCP.

The stakeholders who cut across different sectors of the economy ranging from aviation, agriculture, oil and gas, construction, marine, insurance and financial services, tourism, academia and so on, yesterday praised NiMet for its invaluable services towards Nigeria’s economic development, through release of the SCP over the years.

It will be recalled that in 2023, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), released a statement which said; “By heeding to NiMet’s advisory in 2022 on flood prediction in the country, we saved the country more than N120bn”.

While welcoming the stakeholders, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has clearly outlined his government’s eight-point agenda aimed at moving the Nigerian economy forward through Food Security, Ending Poverty, Economic Growth, Job Creation, among others. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) through actualisation of its mandate is climate proofing the economy by providing timely weather and climate information”.

Continuing, he said; “Over the years the SCP has evolved in scope, including the concept of co-production which is adequately supported by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

“This allows critical stakeholders to be part of the production process of weather and climate information in order to increase the depth of knowledge, improve accuracy and enhance relevance of information provided. This concept also makes the stakeholders to co-own the weather and climate information generated”.

Concluding, Prof. Anosike said; “As we collectively take a deep look at the draft 2024 SCP to enrich it, especially the socio-economic implication, relying on our years of knowledge, expertise, and experience in our various fields, I hope that by the end of the stakeholders meeting, we would have produced a document that is scientific, relevant and actionable. Together, we will be proud of being part of a climate resilient socioeconomic development of our dear nation, Nigeria”.

The Director General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo said; “All economic sectors are affected by weather and climate. This poses financial risks to governments, individuals and organizations. Climate information helps to mitigate and reduce the impact. I commend the Nigerian Meteorological Authority (NiMet) for the excellent job it is doing regarding Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP).

I further acknowledge the positive impact the Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) has had on Aviation safety. For example, NCAA has found the annual SCP released by NiMet to be very useful in issuing Advisory Circulars to warn Pilots and Operators of the inherent dangers associated with the onset of rainy season and the harmattan season.

These Circulars have provided appropriate guidance to assist in preventing accidents and incidents which would otherwise be caused by thunderstorms and dust haze during their respective seasons. This, invariably, has reduced incidents/accidents associated with adverse weather to zero in Nigeria over the years”.

Concluding, Capt. Najomo encouraged NiMet to provide data that shows the level of accuracy of the SCP, for instance, in terms of number of Wind Shear phenomena recorded at airports across the country due to thunderstorm activities.

“The NCAA calls for enlightenment on efforts being made by NiMet to (1) ensure Aerodrome Met Office
personnel possess a good understanding of thunderstorm events and (2) efforts to provide appropriate equipment that easily detect and accurately predict such events.

I charge NiMet to consolidate on its compliance with the provisions of Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations Part 14.6 –
Aeronautical Meteorological Services – particularly with respect to training of personnel and modernization of observing, forecasting and data gathering techniques, dissemination and storage equipment/instruments for flight planning and aerodrome development in Nigeria”.

The representative of World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in Nigeria, Dr. Bernard Gomez commended NiMet as it has been issuing the seasonal climate prediction for 10 years.

“WMO has established a protocol that mandates users of climate and weather information to co-produce. NiMet is following this protocol so as to meet the needs of the stakeholders. The agency can not do this alone hence the need to partner and collaborate with sectoral”.

“The stakeholders forum serves as a feedback mechanism for NiMet as it produces the final SCP draft. Stakeholders must ensure that the final SCP product meets everybody’s expectations”, Mr Gomez concluded.

The Director General of Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Engineer Clement Nze, represented by the Acting Director of Hydrogeoinfomatics, Bashir Suleiman, said that the stakeholders meeting was timely. “NIMet is fulfilling its mandate by bringing the stakeholders together. NIHSA is pleased to be part of this especially in the area of flood predictions”.

The Executive Director of Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), Mr Arigbabu Sulaimon, congratulated NiMet for keeping to time regarding the impending release of SCP.

“NiMet’s work is critical to the protection of livelihoods of people and also diversifying the economy of Nigeria. It’s not only the aviation sector that benefits greatly from NiMet’s services, the food and agricultural sector benefits too”.

In his goodwill message, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Captain Alex Badeh Jnr., represented by Mr Abdulsalam Abubakar, AGM Operations in the agency, appreciated NiMet for keeping to standards through the yearly and timely release of SCP. He said that NSIB has always collaborated with NiMet and assured that the partnership will continue.

The public presentation of NiMet’s Seasonal Climate Prediction holds on Tuesday, 20th February, 2024, as approved by the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, SAN.

Patoma Admin by — January 23, 2024 in Aviation 0
NiMET parleys with NIM on training

By Favour Nnabugwu
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) is to partner with the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) on capacity building of its meteorologists, scientists and other staff.
The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Professor Charles Anosike stated this in his office on Friday, 19th January, 2024, when members of Maitama -Abuja chapter of the institute paid him a courtesy visit.
Welcoming the NIM team led by the chapter Chairman, Engnr. Abdul-Lawal Zubair, Prof. Anosike said; “As a scientific agency, we aim to follow global standards in what we do. In line with the thinking of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), NiMet will support staff of the agency to improve their management and leadership skills. The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN, has also harped on training and staff welfare. NiMet is committed to helping the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu government to achieve its vision in this regard”.
Continuing, Professor Anosike said; “As a fellow of NIM and a member of the Maitama-Abuja chapter of the institute, I thank the leadership of NIM for the solidarity visit. I am honoured and excited at the same time because I can see collaborative partnerships between NiMet and NIM. NIM can support NiMet in the area of capacity building with emphasis on leadership and management training. This visit is also a good opportunity to invite the NIM leadership to our flagship event, the public presentation of the Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) which will hold on Tuesday, 20th February, 2024”.
“NiMet is always interested in innovative partnerships through which the agency can share and widen the distribution of its various weather and climate-related publications. As part of our discussions on collaboration with NIM, I suggest that NIM considers setting up a forum where NiMet meteorologists can share some of the data the agency generates with younger members of NIM and other stakeholders”, Prof. Anosike concluded.
Responding, Engnr. Abdul-Lawal Zubair
congratulated Prof. Anosike on his appointment and assured that the Nigerian Institute of Management will collaborate with NiMet in the areas listed by the DG/CEO.
Highlight of the visit was exchange of gifts between the two institutions, decoration of Prof. Anosike with NIM muffler with a charge  to him to always represent the institute and the branch positively.
Patoma Admin by — January 19, 2024 in Aviation 0
FAAN to relocate headquarters from Abuja to Lagos, gives reasons

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

 

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN has consented to the directive of the authority to move  it’s corporate headquarters back to Lagos

FAAN gave reason why the directive  of  the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, was in the best interest  of the  organisation to relocate the corporate Headquarters of FAAN from Abuja to its original base, Lagos.

FAAN wishes to inform Nigerians that following wide consultations by the new Management of FAAN with stakeholders, which also involved the Unions, it was agreed that this was in the best interest of the Authority and the country for now for the following reasons:

Those affected by the decision to move the headquarters to Abuja have since returned to Lagos as there is no office space for them in Abuja. It was ill-advised in the first place to move the headquarters to Abuja when there was no single FAAN building in Abuja to accommodate all of them at once.

Having returned to Lagos, the Authority would be liable to pay them DTA (DUTY TOUR ALLOWANCE) because technically they are working OUT OF STATION as their official posting is to ABUJA. The Minister has decided to stop this waste of public resources and rip-off on the public purse.

The other option open to the Authority was abandon the old FAAN building in Lagos to rot away and to use its scarce resources to rent an office space in Abuja for Millions of Naira of public money when in actual fact more than sixty percent of its activities are in Lagos given the huge passenger volume of the Lagos airports. The stakeholders and the Minister decided against that and to save the country this waste.

The Minister has rolled out plans to get concessionaires to build befitting offices for the Authority in Lagos and Abuja and until that is done, the Authority will continue to manage its old building in Lagos that can accommodate all its Directors and senior officials for now.
Abuja continues to have full operational offices and the Authority has not scaled down operations in Abuja one bit. It is just the technical decision of where the Authority has its ‘corporate headquarters’ that has been taken without affecting the structure of operations as they are for now in both cities.
 ⁠In the near future, when befitting  corporate buildings have been built for the Authority in both Lagos and Abuja, a final decision will be taken as to the location of the permanent headquarters, depending on the exigencies of the time.
 The Authority wishes to assure members of the public that it will continue to act in the best interest of the public and the country.
The Honourable Minister is committed to taking decisions that are in the best interest of the country, especially as it concerns public funds and will not yield to ethnic or sectional sentiments that will derail this commitment’
Patoma Admin by — January 19, 2024 in Aviation 0
NiMet DG Anosike says new mgt to strengthen, reposition operations 

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that the focus of the new management is to strengthen the operations of the agency and reposition it for improved service delivery.

Professor Anosike was speaking on Monday, 8th January, 2024, while declaring open a 3-day NiMet management retreat in Abuja.

“The overriding objective of the 2024 NiMet management retreat is to strengthen collaborative relationships amongst staff of the agency. It’s time to dismantle the imaginary walls and silos built internally over the years which has been stifling productivity. The retreat will give us all a good understanding of the work NiMet does. The science of meteorology should be treated and handled with all seriousness because of its importance and impact on lives, properties and on the economy”.

Continuing, Professor Anosike encouraged the participants to be active during the retreat and make contributions that will help NiMet to achieve its mandate efficiently. “Despite prevailing economic challenges, there are opportunities in the external environment for NiMet. We should aim to reduce wastages in our operations, prioritize spending, and improve our internally generated revenue”.

Concluding, Professor Anosike reminded the participants that although NiMet’s services are directly related to weather and climate in Nigeria, however, forces that drive environmental changes have shown that NiMet’s activities impact all aspects of the Nigerian economy”.

Patoma Admin by — January 8, 2024 in Aviation 0
NiMet warns of sunny, hazy atmosphere for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 

…Wednesday, Thursday, Friday to witness thunderstorms
By Favour Nnabugwu
Nigerian Metrological Agency, NiMet has warned of sunny and hazy atmosphere from Wednesday to Friday in the North and North Central.
The agency also predicted slight dust haze in Inland areas of the South during the forecast period while, few clouds in hazy atmosphere is expected over the Coastal cities with slim prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa states during the afternoon/evening period.
Few patches of clouds in hazy atmosphere are expected over the Inland areas of the South and Coastal cities with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states in the afternoon/evening period.
Few patches of clouds in hazy atmosphere are expected over the Inland areas of the South and the Coastal belt with chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Edo, Bayelsa and Delta states in the afternoon/evening period.
Potential impact/Advisory
NiMet warned people with Asthma and
other respiratory issues to take necessary actions during current weather situations as dust particles are in suspension, public should take
necessary precautions.
Airline operators are advised to
get updated weather reports from
NiMet for effective planning in
their operations.
Patoma Admin by — January 3, 2024 in Aviation 0