By Miriam Humbe, Abuja
The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) has sought the support of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, (NiMet) in the execution of a multinational project that includes Nigeria.
Dr Sander Zwart, the Senior Researcher at IWMI, disclosed this on Wednesday when he and his team visited the NiMet headquarters in Abuja.
Dr Zwart said they were about to embark on a huge project called CLiM O.
He said: “We have this project coming up, it is called the CLiM O. It is led by the German Development Cooperation (GIZ).
“The goal is to assist member states of the Niger Basin Authority to be more climate resilient and of course Nigeria is part of the Niger Basin”.
Dr Zwart explained that based on the information obtained online as well as consultations, it was discovered that flood and drought were major challenges, especially after last year’s flood.
He said this led them to develop activities that would ensure people were better prepared for flood now and in the future.
To achieve this, he revealed that there were four components they had proposed for the project and that as their institution would drive the project, they were keen to have NiMet’s input.
He listed these components to be hydrological modelling; flood forecasting; data sharing and underground actions involving how people can adapt themselves to flood.
The Director Weather Forecasting Services, Engr. Mailadi Yusuf, who represented the Director General, Prof Mansur Matazu, assured the visitors of NiMet’s support.
He also said that NiMet was in close collaboration with Federal and State Ministries of Water Resources where the lead sister Agency that developed the Annual Flood Outlook (NiHSA) for the country was resident.
He disclosed that apart from predicting water availability for farming activities (Onset of rain, duration and amount expected) NiMet would soon engage water users across the country on dry season (irrigation) farming activities by delivering and training them on the use of the Seasonal Climate Prediction for optimal harvest outputs.
The CLIM O project, when fully implemented would support the member states of the Niger Basin Authority in strengthening transboundary governance of water resources, adaptation and mitigation of the impact of climate change.
The IWMI would lead the design and implementation of the project in the Benue River Basin.
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