The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, has denounced the thunderstorm alert issued recently by the Nigerian Lightning Safety and Research Center, NLSRC.
In a statement by the General Manager and Public Relations, Muntari Yusuf Ibrahim the agency urged Nigerians to disregard the Centre’s alert to the possibility of lightning strikes across Nigeria in the month of May, 2023.
NiMet said it did not authorize NLSRC to issue such weather forecast to the public, as it is the statutory function of the Agency.
”NiMet is statutorily mandated under Sections 7 (1) (a) and (i) of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency Establishment Act, 2022 (NiMet Act), to advise the Federal Government on ALL aspects of meteorology and to collect, process and disseminate ALL meteorological data and information within and outside Nigeria. NiMet is also the SOLE AUTHORITY to prescribe and issue the meteorological data and information required for all sectoral activities in Nigeria (Section 7(2))”.
”Further to the above stated provisions, any person who collects, uses or disseminates weather forecast or any other meteorological information obtained from any other source outside the approval, licence or authority of the Agency for commercial or public purpose, commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine or a term of imprisonment or both (Section 30 (2) of the NiMet Act)’’, the statement reads.
While advising the public to totally discountenance the information issued by the NLSRC or from any source outside of the Agency’s approval and authorization, NiMet said it would not be liable if its advice is not heed.
On April 15, the Nigerian Lightning Safety and Research Center, NLSRC in a tweet had issued an alert on lightening across the country.
The tweet listed ten states as having the highest strikes per square meter.
Writing by Annabel Nwachukwu