The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo SAN has urged participants at the Regional Forum Workshop on Seasonal Forecasts of Agro-hydro-climatic characteristics of the rainy season for the Sudanian and Sahelian zones of West Africa and the Sahel (PRESASS) to apply the outcomes of the workshop to their local communities.
Speaking in Abuja during the closing ceremony of the PRESASS workshop, Keyamo emphasised the importance of utilising weather and climate information for effective planning and decision-making. He highlighted the significant challenges posed by climate change, extreme weather events and food security, stressing the need for early warnings to mitigate risks.
The minister acknowledged the support provided by the Nigerian government through agencies such as the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and AGRHYMET Regional Centre in hosting the forum. He underscored the government’s commitment to issuing early warnings to safeguard citizens and sectors from potential losses.
Keyamo emphasised the importance of translating the forecast information from the workshop into actionable plans at the local and rural levels to achieve the United Nations’ target of Early Warning for All (EW4ALL) by 2027.
In his remarks, the director-general/chief executive officer of NiMet, Professor Charles Anosike praised AGRHYMET and ACMAD for their continued efforts in organising the Regional Climate Outlook Forum since 1998. He commended the successful collaboration of the local organising committee in hosting the forum.
Representing the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) for North, Central and West Africa, Mr. Rowland Abah highlighted the workshop’s contribution to enhancing early warning systems in the region for effective climate-related hazard mitigation in 2024.
Abah reiterated the urgent need for countries to ensure comprehensive Early Warning Systems covering all citizens by 2027 due to the existential threats posed by climate change.
The closing ceremony was attended by the director-general of Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Clement Nze and representatives from other relevant agencies. The PRESASS event brought together participants from 16 countries in West Africa and took place from April 22 to 26, 2024.
