Kambari Pledges Infrastructure Delivery At NiMet

The permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mahmud Adam Kambari has reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to strengthening collaboration, enhancing staff welfare, and addressing critical infrastructure needs during his familiarisation visit to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

The visit forms part of his ongoing tour of agencies under the ministry and was aimed at acquainting himself with the operations, programmes, and challenges of the agency.

Kambari expressed satisfaction with the leadership of NiMet, particularly commending the director-general’s commitment to staff welfare.

He noted that a motivated workforce remains a critical driver of productivity and efficient service delivery.

He emphasised the need for the agency to clearly articulate and prioritise its equipment requirements to enable the ministry provide the necessary support for optimal performance.

He also assured that issues relating to the security of NiMet’s infrastructure and equipment would receive prompt attention, stressing the ministry’s readiness to collaborate closely with the agency to address them.

Kambari further disclosed plans to reinstate regular top management meetings involving the minister, permanent secretary, heads of agencies, and directors of the ministry.

He noted that the meetings would serve as a platform to track performance, address challenges, and collectively develop solutions to issues affecting the aviation sector.

He reiterated the ministry’s commitment to aligning its activities with the mandate of the federal government and the policy direction of the minister, while urging staff of NiMet to continue supporting the agency’s leadership.

Director of press of the ministry, Chindaya Adamu said earlier in his remarks, the director-general/chief executive officer of NiMet, Professor Charles Anosike welcomed the permanent secretary and expressed appreciation for the visit.

He reaffirmed the agency’s readiness to work closely with the Ministry, particularly in enhancing aviation safety.

Anosike underscored staff welfare as a core priority and disclosed ongoing engagements with the ministry and other aviation agencies towards the review of staff remuneration.

He noted that NiMet is one of the oldest aviation agencies in Nigeria, with a legacy spanning nearly a century with a mandate to observe, collate, and analyse meteorological data for national development.

He added that the agency has been a member of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) since 1960 and has maintained ISO certification since 2013.

Anosike also highlighted recent innovations within the agency, the digitalisation initiatives, deployment of the METEO-WIZ system for OPMET data transmission to control towers, and the adoption of artificial intelligence to enhance operational efficiency.

He, however, outlined key challenges facing the Agency, which includes funding constraints, delays in the release of statutory funds such as BASA and AVSEC allocations, ageing infrastructure, staff welfare concerns, and insecurity leading to vandalisation of critical facilities.

Anosike further disclosed that efforts are ongoing to review and amend the NiMet Act, while also pursuing the recovery of outstanding funds from relevant agencies, including those within the Blue Economy and maritime sectors.