NIMET To Build Weather Stations In Rivers

The Nigerian
Metrological Agency (NiMET) is seeking the support of the Rivers State Government to set up weather stations in the State.
The Director General of the agency, Dr. Anthony C. Anoforam who said this at the just concluded Flood Awareness Stakeholders Forum in Port Harcourt also disclosed plans by the agency to set up Ultimate Information Centre in the three senatorial zones of the State.
Dr. Anoforom who was represented by the General Manager Climate Services in the Agency, Mr. Joseph Alozie, also said that Rivers State was one of the worst affected States in the country in the 2012 flood disaster.
According to him, Rivers State was second to Bayelsa in terms of loss, adding that monetarily, the State lost over N500 million to the disaster.
He pointed out that in terms of job loss, Rivers State was second to Adamawa State, while emerging as one of the highest in terms of damage to houses.
Dr. Anoforom said that the incidence affected both livestock rearing and other agricultural activities, adding that the situation led to the setting up of flood management committee by the then federal government.
The NIMET general manager also blamed major causes of flooding in the country to the flow of waters from upstream locations as well as rainfall.
He commended the Rivers State Government for the Stakeholders Forum, stressing that it would enable the government and people to put in place processes towards mitigating the probable impact of the forthcoming flood disaster in the state.

John Bibor, Chinenye Nwabueze,Favour Harry