The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Friday handed over Automatic Weather Stations to the government of Sierra Leone to be used by the Meteorological (MET) department at the Lungi International Airport.
These stations will reduce the impact of extreme weather events; provide essential services for safety of civil aviation; increase agriculture yields and increase resilience to climate variability and climate change.
These work stations used by the MET Department is the same used in the United Kingdom and meets global standards.
According to UNDP, a sustainable MET department in Sierra Leone will provide timely, reliable and accurate forecast warning hazardous weather.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Chief of Air Traffic Services (ATS) at the Airport, Abdul Sheku Kanu said that the objectives of his unit are to prevent collisions between aircraft in the air or on the maneuvering area of an aerodrome; prevent collision between aircraft on the maneuvering area and obstructions on that area; provide advice and give useful information for the safe and efficient conduct of flight and notify appropriate organisations regarding aircraft in need of search and rescue aid.
He added that ATS units require a great deal of meteorological information and service.
This, he said has been recognized in the specifications for the meteorological service to be provided for international air navigation, which describe how operators, flight-crew members, ATS units, search and rescue services centers, airport management and other concern with conduct of international air navigation are to be supplied with the meteorological information necessary for the performance of their respective functions.
Director of MET, Alpha Bockarie said that this station will give good weather information and analysis. He added that the ATS cannot operate effectively without getting information from the MET Department. Mr. Bockarie disclosed that with these stations they will be giving weekly weather forecast to the public.
The Director highlighted some of the challenges the department is facing, which he stressed needs to be changed if the department is to operate effectively and efficiently.
Gavin lley, Senior UK MET officer said that they are willing to help the Sierra Leone MET department. He stated that weather affects everything we do, whether transport or agriculture. He explained that these new stations will bring Sierra Leone to the 24th century weather network.
Keith Wright, UNDP Technical Adviser, said that weather data is good for everybody especially for farmers, fishermen and aircraft operators. He added that this will help the country to know much more about weather forecast.
Mr Wright reiterated that six stations have been installed in Lungi, Njala, Fourah Bay College, Kabala, Kenema and Rokuprr and another six will be installed soon to cover the whole country.
He noted that it is good that Sierra Leone is bracing up with technology.
In his statement, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Transport and Aviation, Saa Kpulum said that the MET department was established in 1961 and is functioning within the ambit of the Ministry.
He added that during the war all the weather stations were destroyed, but as a Ministry they have undertaken many rehabilitation of these stations in the country.
Mr Kpulum disclosed that they have trained and recruited weather observers to be deployed all in all these stations.
The Permanent Secretary disclosed that in keeping with the President’s Agenda for Change, he said that the MET department will be changed in to an Agency that will attract funding and give reliable weather forecast information.
By Abibatu Kamara
ADVERTISEMENT