***Push cost recovery, efficiency reforms through amendment bill
By Fatima Ndagi
The House of Representatives has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) to enhance national safety and economic development, particularly in the aviation sector.
Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation Technology, Rep. Tajudeen Abisodun, made this known during a public hearing on the amendment of the NIMET Establishment Act No. 29, 2022, held in Abuja.
“This Bill is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of our Meteorological Agency, which plays a vital role in ensuring the safety of lives and property, particularly in the aviation sector,” Abisodun stated.
The proposed amendment focuses primarily on Section 13, Sub-section 2 of the Act, aiming to improve the agency’s capacity to deliver timely and accurate weather forecasts, warnings, and advisories.
Rep. Abisodun emphasized that the bill would enable pilots, air traffic controllers, and other stakeholders to access more reliable weather information for informed decision-making.
Speaker of the House, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, represented by Deputy Chief Whip Rep. Ibrahim Isiaka, described the public hearing as a demonstration of the legislature’s commitment to efficiency, transparency, and accountability. He urged stakeholders to contribute meaningfully to the reform process.
Also speaking, the sponsor of the bill, Rep. Abiodun Akinlade, said the objective is to reposition NIMET for enhanced service delivery across critical sectors including marine, construction, and telecommunications.
Supporting the bill, Director General of NIMET, Prof. Charles Anosike, said the amendments would enable the agency to implement a cost recovery framework, ensuring sustainable delivery of specialized meteorological services.
“While NIMET is empowered under Sections 7(1)(i) and 7(2) of the current Act to charge for aeronautical services, there is no equivalent framework for other sectors,” Anosike noted. “This has led to unrecovered operational costs, infrastructure gaps, and limited service reach.”
He stressed the need to align NIMET’s operations with global best practices, especially through cost recovery mechanisms for non-aeronautical users.