The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) says the thunderstorm alert issued to Nigerians on April 15 by a non governmental organisation, the Nigerian Lightning Safety and Research Center (NLSRC) does not have its approval.
NiMet General Manager in charge of Public Relations, Muntari Ibrahim, stated this in a statement in Abuja.
He said that at “no time did it authorise NLSRC to issue any such weather forecast to the public, as this is the statutory function of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.”
The statement accused NLSRC of usurping the agency’s authority by issuing the said thunderstorm alert without its permission.
NiMET then asked Nigerians to disregard the weather forecast given by the research centre on April 15.
The NLSRC, is a non-governmental organisation registered in the USA.
In the alert, the centre issued a warning that 2.9 million lightening strikes will occur in Nigeria in the coming month of May.
It said Taraba, Ebonyi, Cross River, Delta, Imo, Abia, are aming the states that will experience the thunderstorms.
It then advise Nigerians to stay indoors should they hear any thunder.
But in a reaction contained in a statement issued on Sunday , Ibrahim said it is only NiMet that is ” statutorily mandated under Sections 7 (1) (a) and (i) of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency Establishment Act, 2022 (NiMet Act), to advise the Federal Government on ALL aspects of meteorology and to collect, process and disseminate all meteorological data and information within and outside Nigeria.
“NiMet is also the sole authority to prescribe and issue the meteorological data and information required for all sectoral activities in Nigeria (Section 7(2)).
“Further to the above-stated provisions, any person who collects, uses or disseminates weather forecast or any other meteorological information obtained from any other source outside the approval, licence or authority of the agency for commercial or public purpose, commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine or a term of imprisonment or both (Section 30 (2) of the NiMet Act).”
The agency said the public should disregard the information issued by the NLSRC.
The NLSRC in response to the NiMET statement said it had no intention of competing with the agency on its statutory functions.
It said the alert information was solely for the education and awareness of Nigerians.
“We acknowledge that NLSRC may not have received the necessary approval or authorisation from NiMet before issuing the weather forecast to the Nigerian public.
“However, we, would like to assure you that our intention is to raise awareness about lightning safety and protection of lives, properties, and public infrastructures in Nigeria.
“We do not intend to compete with NiMet or any other government agency responsible for weather forecasting and dissemination of meteorological data and information,” the centre explained.(vitalnewsngr.com)
