The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) has requested for support from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, (NiMet) in the execution of a multinational project that includes Nigeria to develop activities that will ensure people are better prepared for flood and drought now and in the future.
The Senior Researcher at IWMI, Dr Sander Zwart, during a visit to NiMet Headquarters in Abuja explained they were about to embark on a huge project called CLiM O led by the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) to assist member states of the Niger Basin Authority to be more climate resilient and of course Nigeria is part of the Niger Basin.
He lamented that based on the information obtained online as well as consultations they discovered that flood and drought are major challenges, especially after last year’s flood.
To achieve this, he revealed that there are four components they have proposed for the project and that as their institution will drive the project, they are keen to have NiMet’s input.
He listed these components to be Hydrological modelling; Flood forecasting; Data sharing and Underground actions that involves how people can adapt themselves to flood.
In his response, the Director Weather Forecasting Services, Engr. Mailadi Yusuf, who represented the Director General, assured the visitors of NiMet’s support, adding that NiMet is in close collaboration with Federal and State Ministries of Water Resources where the lead sister Agency that develops the Annual Flood Outlook (NiHSA) for the country is resident.
