Dr Anthony Anuforom, the Director-General, Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET), says the agency achieved 92 per cent accuracy in its predictions in 2015.

Anuforom told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday that the review of its predictions showed that a marked improvement beyond the 70 per cent accuracy it recorded in 2012.

He explained that the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has made it clear that 60 per cent accuracy of predictions achieved by any Meteorological Office is good enough for planning and advisory purposes.

“The agency has done the analysis, we have reviewed how we performed, we have assessed our performance and the report I have showed that we were able to achieve up to 92 per cent accuracy.

“The interesting thing is that overtime, we have shown steady improvement in the performance from even seventy something about four years ago to where we are now. We

have improved confidently pointing to 90 per cent.

“Other interesting dimension to it is that WMO stipulates that if you can achieve up to 60 per cent in your predictions then you can run with, it is good enough for planning and advisory purposes.”

The NiMET boss attributed the improvement to the dedication of officers in charge of forecasting, the favourable environment, and availability of relevant equipment as well as adequate support from the Federal Government.

He added that the determination to achieve excellence in service delivery and the heavy investment in human capacity building also contributed to the improvement.

Anuforom said that the management of the agency showed total commitment to optimising the resources available to it, adding that better results could only be achieved if resources could be optimally used.

According to him, NiMET has always employed quality management techniques for optimum results.

He stated that NiMET recently stepped up its operation from 36 synoptic stations in 2008 to the current 54 stations nationwide to measure and process its 13 weather variables.

He explained that out of the 36 stations that were in existence, only four scored above 50 per cent in terms of instrument availability adding that the highest score was 60 per cent.

According to Anuforom, NiMET has systematically equipped 11 airports in the country with “wind shear alert system and eight upper air stations across the country.

“This is all part of what informed our improved quality because if the quality of your instrument is not good, the quality of your products will also not be good.

“In the overall, the improvement has been remarkable and we are appreciative of our ministry, the Ministry of Transportation for all the support to be able to achieve all that.” (NAN)

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