ICAO congratulates NIMET on ISO CERTIFICATION attainment

Aviation Nigeria

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has congratulated the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) for attaining ISO 9001: 2008 certification.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Head of Corporate Communications of NIMET, Mrs Eva Azinge, in Abuja on Friday.

It stated that ICAO in a letter to NIMET, expressed its delight for the accomplishment. The statement reiterated ICAO's willingness to support and assist NIMET in its aeronautical meteorological services in Nigeria and to keep contributing to aviation safety records in the West African sub-region.

``Specifically, ISO 9001; 2008 edition which directly affects NIMET, specifies procedure to assist the agency to develop and deliver structured processes, aimed at safeguarding the quality of the agency’s packaged products.

``In recognition of its international linkages and commitment to giving value to Nigerians, NIMET has continued to give accurate weather and climate information in support of aviation and other sectors of the Nigerian economy.’’

It stated that four international airports in the country -- Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt, are mandatory to the Quality Management Services standards set by ICAO, since the concept was new in Nigerian aviation.

``These airports were chosen because they are international gateways to the country. Through these airports, travellers and foreigners can be rest-assured that the services they receive meet international requirements.

``This certification, is however, subject to periodic review. It is all about standards: customer/producer relationship which compels the producer to ensure a continuous improvement in products and services,’' it stated.

Nigerian Airspace Is Safer - NAMA

Aviation Nigeria

The Managing Director of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nnamdi Udoh has reassured travellers of a safer air travel in the country.

Mr Udoh, who was a guest on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily, advised travellers that boarded an aircraft that could not land due to poor weather condition to “walk up to the pilot and inquire why he did not get destination weather, did he not get briefed on weather before departure?”

He said this is important “because it is now mandatory for every pilot to go and get from the aeronautical information services’ operational office weather briefs, enroute and destination to be able to fly comfortably and arrive safely.”

Mr Udoh said the Nigerian aviation industry is compliant with the global standards as far as metrological information is concerned.

“The Nigerian Metrological Agency, recently got ISO9001 certified so you must be sure that the data our metrological agency gives out are correct,” he said.

The NAMA boss said a second development that has restored confidence in the country’s airspace is the strengthening of air traffic regulations by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

He said, “The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has strengthen its general aviation arm; has strengthen its ramp inspection in ensuring that airlines do maintenance as required and are properly supervised.”

NIMET Cautions Pilots Over Prevalent Violent Weather

Aviation Nigeria

Pilots have been advised to be very cautious and take precaution during flight operations   as violent weather is becoming more frequent within the country’s airspace as the wet season sets in.

The advise was given by the Director General of Nigerian Meteorological Agency, [NIMET] Dr Anthony Anuforom  in an interview with newsmen shortly after delivering an induction lecture organized by the Nigerian Academy of Science.

Dr Anuforom explained that in some locations that the frequency of occurrence of  thunder storms was increasing adding that the rainfall pattern this year would  be similar to that of last year.

“The rainfall pattern this year was going to be similar with that of last year. In terms of what is happening in the air, those things are there because violent weather, extreme weather effect is becoming more and more frequent. In some locations, frequent of occurrence of thunderstorms are increasing and which means that there have to be more precaution on the part of pilots and everybody.”

The NIMET boss however declared that it was a challenge to the agency which required constant watch adding that there was nothing to worry about as the agency has been equipped by the government to give real time weather conditions.

“Fortunately for us government has encouraged us by providing us with equipment we need and to sustain and live with challenge of maintaining it”.

Dr Anuforom revealed that the agency was getting more and more accurate in its prediction as attested to by the fact that the aeronautical metrological service scaled the ISO 001 quality management  audit and that  the agency would continue to render accurate and quality meteorology services to Nigerians.

On the precautions being taken by some state government to avert disaster following this year’s rainfall predictions by NIMET, Dr Anuforom said it was a welcome development that the Governors forum was concerned about the predictions as the forum has written for collaboration with NIMET.

NIMET advises Nigerians on the importance of Weather Predictions

Aviation Nigeria

Deputy General Manager of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Mr Ignatius Nwoko, has called on Nigerians to take weather forecasts seriously in their daily endearvours.

While speaking to journalists in Enugu on Friday, Mr Nwoko expressed unease at the complete negligence of people to which this information was necessary had a generally adverse effect.

" It is very important, many of of go on our daily activities without caring about what is going to happen" He said.

Lamenting on the public response to information Nwoko added: ``But it’s important to listen to changes in weather, how it’s going to affect your area. Then you take precautionary measures so as to avoid being impacted negatively, especially the farmers.’’

The agency which was responsible for making weather predictions and forecasts, are charged with aiding all stakeholders through required information. In March, 2012 predictions by the agency communicated through the Director General of the agency, Dr. Anthony Anuforom, on the dangers of the coming flood and what needs to be done were ignored, leading to a lack of preparation in the wake of flood disasters.

Expect Flight Delays, Cancellations – NCAA

Aviation Nigeria

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Monday alerted airlines and pilots on the dangers inherent in the current harmatan haze being experienced across the country, saying that they must abide by weather report to avert safety breach.

In a circular signed by the Director General of the agency, Dr Harold Demuren, the regulatory body said the call was to alert all pilots on the hazards of harmattan haze and offered guidance to help prevent accidents caused by this weather phenomenon.

“Hazards and operational problems associated with harmattan is comparable to that of heavy fog. Thus, air-to-ground visibility is considerably reduced. Others include poor aerodrome visibility which might fall below the prescribed minima and in severe conditions.”

NCAA also noted that dust haze can blot out runways and markers over wide areas making visual navigation impossible; where terminal visibility falls below the prescribed weather minima, airlines and pilots should flights be delayed, diverted or cancelled.

The authority therefore advised pilots to recognise harmattan haze as a hazard and exercise maximum restraint when the condition is observed or forecast.

“It is therefore mandatory for all pilots to obtain weather briefing from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) including departure, en-route and destination  weather information prior to flight operations.

“The airlines and their flight crews should keep passengers informed of the situation  and of the potential for flight delays and possible cancellations. Safety considerations  must always be the highest priority,” the agency said.

Early morning flights were disrupted last Friday in the nation’s important cities of Lagos and Abuja as fog reduced visibility to non-flight levels.

Many domestic flights were disrupted and international flights were also affected as Virgin Atlantic Airways rerouted its flight to Lagos to Accra, while Arik Air flight from London to Lagos was diverted to Port Harcourt.

Passengers, who hurried to meet their flights in the morning yesterday, arrived the airports disappointed as the airlines rescheduled their flights from morning to noon, hoping that visibility would improve.

Thousands of passengers massed at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) and the Murtala Muhammed Airport domestic terminal, known as MMA2,  hoping and waiting for the fog to clear.