NiMet, SEDC Mull Partnership to Enhance Climate Disaster Preparedness in South-East

NiMet, SEDC Mull Partnership to Enhance Climate Disaster Preparedness in South-East

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja 

In a move towards enhancing climate disaster preparedness in the South-East region, the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) are exploring a partnership aimed at promoting climate-resilient development.

This initiative was discussed during a courtesy visit by Managing Director of SEDC, Mark Okoye, to Director General/CEO of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, on Wednesday.

During the meeting, Okoye emphasized the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to foster regional development through the establishment of the SEDC.

He highlighted the Commission’s commitment to coordinating and implementing initiatives that address infrastructure improvement, ecological challenges, and overall developmental issues in the South-East states.

Okoye expressed a strong desire for both institutions to collaborate in enhancing their collective efforts to promote climate resilience and de-risk economic sectors through targeted intervention programs.

In response, Prof. Anosike outlined NiMet’s ongoing initiatives that support regional development, citing successful collaborations with the North-East Development Commission in providing weather and climate early warning services.

He stressed the importance of identifying vulnerabilities within the South-East region and tailoring mitigation strategies to help communities adapt to climate risks, thereby improving livelihoods across various sectors.

NiMet’s expertise in delivering evidence-based scientific products is crucial for addressing the region’s climatic challenges, including flash floods, soil erosion, and heavy rainfall.

Prof. Anosike also pointed out that downscaling the Seasonal Climate Prediction could significantly benefit farmers by promoting climate-smart agriculture, aligning with President Tinubu’s food systems security initiative. Additionally, he proposed capacity development through community sensitization and advocacy to bridge the gap in climate information access, enabling residents to make informed decisions that enhance productivity and sustainability.

The meeting concluded with both leaders reaching a consensus to support each other in public-private engagements and to draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate their shared objectives.