Business
Automation’ll Bring About Accurate Information – NiMet
The Director-General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Dr Anthony Anuforom, has said the automation of NiMet’s weather forecast system would bring about efficient, accurate and timely weather information.
Anuforom said this in an interview with the newsmen recently in Abuja.
He said the automation would also enable the agency to deliver more benefits of meteorological services to all the sectors of the economy that might need it.
“Because we are automated, we are now in a better position to be more efficient, providing accurate and timely weather information for agriculture and other sectors.
“When you do things manually, it is slow and fraught with human errors and the difference is that there is improved efficiency, timeliness and accuracy that automation guarantees,’’ he said.
Anuforom said the automation was a necessity as it would enable NiMet to be able to handle the large volume of data generated from its numeric weather prediction facility.
He explained that a typical weather observatory measured at least 13 weather variables ranging from wind speed, temperature different depths, wind direction and humidity, amomg others.
According to him, in this day and age, for you to achieve efficiency and durability, among others, you must automate.
“Imagine that a typical weather observatory measures at least 13 weather variables, that is 13 numbers ranging from wind speed, temperature, wind direction, humidity and so on every hour.
“So, you now know how many of such data you will collect within 24 hours and multiply by the number of stations we are operating.
“So you can see that the amount of data that we have to deal with is huge and large.’’
Anuforom added that NiMet would be able to make its weather information flow faster through automation of its observatories across the country.
He said that NiMet had five weather observatories in different locations that were hooked on to its wide aerial network during the inauguration of its Information and Communication Technology Centre in March.
The director-general added that six other locations were expected to be brought on board to make it 11, with plans to have up to 20 automated observatories by the end of 2015.
“So, the work is ongoing and we are hoping that in the next one week or two, six other locations will be brought on board, making it a total of 11.
“What is happening is that the process of collecting data from them has become automated and eventually, we target to have up to 20 hooked on to our wide aerial network before the end of this year,’’ he said.
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
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