Flights disruption imminent as NiMET staff begin strike Monday

Travellers may experience flight disruptions as Aviation unions have instructed Nigeria Meteorology Agency staff to begin strike action on Monday, May 20, 2024. Aviation unions are National Union of Air Transport Employee Association of Nigeria, the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals, and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations and Technical and Recreational Employees. This imminent strike as disclosed in a letter dated 14 May 2024, Wednesday, stems from management’s failure to address 45 months of minimum wage arrears and consequential adjustments for staff members. NiMET is charged with the responsibility to advise the Federal Government on all aspects of meteorology; project, prepare and interpret government policy in the field of meteorology; and to issue weather (and climate) forecasts for the safe operations of aircrafts, ocean going vessels and oil rigs. The union, represented by the three General Secretaries: Ocheme Aba, Abdulrasaq Seidu, and Waheed Sikiru, wrote a letter addressed to NiMET’s Director General, Prof Charles Anoske, with the subject line ‘Re: Failure to Pay 45-Month Arrears of Minimum Wage Consequential Adjustment—14 days ultimatum.’ The ultimatum had been issued, and management responded with what seemed like a compromise: paying off the 45 months of arrears in installments. They also expressed their dismay that the agency’s staff has been awaiting the palliative payments sanctioned by the Federal Government since October 2023. Furthermore, they highlighted that the 25-35 per cent salary increase has not been implemented for them, alongside NiMET’s exclusion from receiving Peculiar Allowances. “Furthermore, our Unions through a joint letter dated 4, April 2024, did request for review of the outdated conditions of service. To date the management has deemed our Unions unfit for any response,” it read. The letter further reads, “The above catalogue of woes, and others unmentioned confirm that NiMET Staff have been consigned to the lin bin of abject poverty – worse than any existing aviation establishment. In our considered view, it is inhuman on the part of management to be forborne with these conditions and irresponsible on the part of unions to tolerate this situation for this long. “Therefore, this letter serves as notice to the management of NiMET that the staff members of the agency are, by a copy of this letter, directed to withdraw all services with effect from Monday, May 20, 2024, unless and until the outstanding 42 months arrears of consequential adjustment is fully liquidated. “NIMET Salary structure is adapted to an appropriate Federal Government approved structure and all accruable payments liquidated, Management commences review of the outdated CoS with our Unions with a definite timeline for delivery and actualisation.”

NiMet Alerts On Approaching Dust Haze, Deterioration Visibility

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, (NiMet), has alerted the public on the possibility of deterioration in visibility as a result of observed dust haze propagated into the country from the source region. The agency made the remark in a statement signed by Mr Muntari Ibrahim, the NiMet’s General Manager of Public Relations in Abuja. According to the agency, winds over 10m and 925hPha are favourable for Dust-Haze propagations into the northern parts of the country. “Stations in the source region, Niger (Goure, Zinder, Maine-Soroa, Diffa, N-Guigmi and 61091) reporting horizontal visibility between 800m and 6000m. “The sources from Chad are expected to report poor horizontal visibility in the next 24hrs, based on available models. “Due to strong winds, dust in suspension is expected to propagate to some states in northern part of the country.’’ It said that this would further reduce horizontal visibility especially over Katsina, Kano, Nguru, Jigawa, Potiskum and Maiduguri in next 24hours. NiMet therefore advised members of the public to take necessary precautions due to dust particles presently in suspension over the atmosphere. It further advised Individuals with respiratory ailments to protect themselves as the current weather condition is not good for their health. “Airline operators are also advised to avail themselves of weather reports from NiMet for effective planning in their operations. “NiMet will continue to monitor the weather and provide updates when necessary,” the agency said.

NiMet Predicts 3-Day Sunny, Thundery Weather Conditions From Monday

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunny and thundery weather conditions from Monday to Wednesday across the country. NiMet’s weather outlook released in Abuja predicted sunny skies over the northern region on Monday with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Taraba during the afternoon and evening periods. According to it, sunny skies with patches of clouds are anticipated over the North Central region with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of the FCT, Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states during the afternoon and evening hours. “Cloudy skies with spells of sunshine are expected over the southern region with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Cross River, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom. “Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Osun, Oyo, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Ondo, Edo, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Abia, Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River,’’ it stated. The agency anticipated sunny skies and hazy conditions on Tuesday over the northern region with prospects of afternoon and evening thunderstorms over parts of Taraba. According to NiMet, sunny skies with patches of clouds are anticipated over the North Central region with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Benue, Kwara and Kogi during the afternoon and evening hours. “Cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are expected over the southern region with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom. “Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Ondo, Edo, Ekiti, Oyo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Cross River,’’ it stated. NiMet envisaged dust haze conditions on Wednesday over the northern region with prospects of evening thunderstorms over parts of Taraba. The agency anticipated sunny skies with patches of clouds over the North Central region in the morning hours of Wednesday. “Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected over parts of Benue and Kogi. “Cloudy skies with spells of sunshine are expected over the South with isolated thunderstorms over parts of Imo, Ondo, Edo, Enugu, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Akwa lbom and Cross River during the afternoon and evening hours. “The public is advised to take necessary precautions due to dust particles presently in suspension in the atmosphere,’’ it stated. The agency urged individuals with respiratory ailments to protect themselves as the current dusty weather condition could have adverse effect on their health. According to it, strong winds are likely to precede and accompany the thunderstorms. Citizens are advised to take necessary safety precautions. “All airline operators are advised to avail themselves of weather reports and alerts periodically from NiMet for effective planning of their operations,’’ it stressed.

NiMet Predicts 3-Day Dust Haze, Cloudiness From Friday

Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted dust haze and cloudiness from Wednesday to Friday across the country. NiMet’s weather outlook released in Abuja predicted dust haze on Wednesday over the northern region with visibility range of 2km to 5Km, especially in a few states like Kano, Katsina, Kaduna and Jigawa during the forecast period. The agency said that sunny spells with few patches of clouds were anticipated over the North Central during the morning hours. “Later in the day, hazy atmosphere with few patches of cloud is expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger and Benue states. “The atmosphere over the southern parts of the country should be cloudy with intervals of sunshine, while morning thunderstorms are anticipated over Lagos, Delta, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states. “Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Ondo, Edo, Abia, Enugu, Anambra, Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states,” it said. The agency envisaged dust haze over the northern region during the forecast period on Thursday. It anticipated sunny skies with patches of clouds over the North Central in the morning hours. “Hazy atmosphere with few patches of clouds are expected over parts of Kwara, Plateau and Kogi states. There are prospects of thunderstorms over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa and Benue states in the afternoon and evening hours. “The atmosphere over the southern parts of the country should be cloudy with spells of sunshine. However, we expect morning thunderstorms over parts of Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states. “Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Oyo, Osun, Ekiti,Anambra, Imo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Lagos, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers states,” it said. The agency forecasted dust haze over the northern region during the forecast period on Friday. NiMet said that sunny skies with few patches of clouds were anticipated over the North Central during the morning hours. “Later in the day, there are prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, to be cloudy with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Akwa Ibom and Cross River states during the morning hours. “Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected over parts of Oyo, Ondo, Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Abia, Lagos, Cross River, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states,” it said. The agency advised the public to take necessary precautions due to dust particles in suspension over the atmosphere. “Individuals with respiratory ailments are to protect themselves as the current dusty weather conditionis adverse to their health. “Strong winds are likely to precede and accompany the thunderstorms, citizens are advised to take necessary safety precautions. “All Airline operators are advised to avail themselves of weather reports and alerts periodically from NiMet for effective planning for their operations,” it said. 

NiMet Alerts Northern States On Deteriorating Visibility

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has alerted the public on the possibility of deterioration in visibility in some northern states as a result of dust haze propagated into the country from the source region. This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Muntari Ibrahim, NiMET’s General Manager of Public Affairs on Wednesday in Abuja. NiMet said stations in the source region from Chad (Faya-Largeau, Bol-Berim, Mongo, Abeche and Ndjamena) have been reporting horizontal visibility between other sources from Niger that share borders with northern Nigeria. “Diffa, Maine-Soroa, Goure, Bila, Maradi, Zinder and Birni-n- Konni have been reporting dust haze in poor visibility between 1000m and 3000 m since the last 24 hours. “Due to strong winds, the dust in suspension is expected to propagate to some states in the northern part of the country, which will further reduce horizontal visibility. “There are prospects of dust haze (in moderate to poor horizontal visibility) over the northern parts of the country, especially over Katsina, Kano, Nguru, Jigawa Potiskum and Maiduguri in the next 24 hours”, the statement said. NiMet advised members of the public to take necessary precautions due to dust particles presently in suspension over the atmosphere. The agency advised Individuals with respiratory ailments to protect themselves as the current weather condition is not good for their health. “Airline operators are also advised to avail themselves of weather reports from NiMet for effective planning in their operations. “NiMet will continue to monitor the weather and provide updates when necessary,” it said.