Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has debunked the reports possible lightning strikes across the country even as it ask members of the public to disregard the report saying the body which gave the alert has no authority to do so.
In a statement signed by its spokesman, Muntari Yusuf Ibrahim, NiMet said it never authorized Nigerian Lightning Safety and Research Center (NLSRC) to issue such alert to the nation.
“It has come to the notice of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) that there is a publication purportedly issued by the Nigerian Lightning Safety and Research Center (NLSRC) to the Nigerian public, alerting them to the possibility of lightning strikes across Nigeria in the month of May, 2023.
NiMet wishes to inform the public that at no time did it authorize NLSRC to issue any such weather forecast to the public, as this is the statutory function of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.”
The statement continued, “NiMet is statutorily mandated under Sections 7 (1) (a) and (i) of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency Establishment Act, 2022 (NiMet Act), to advise the Federal Government on ALL aspects of meteorology and to collect, process and disseminate ALL meteorological data and information within and outside Nigeria. NiMet is also the SOLE AUTHORITY to prescribe and issue the meteorological data and information required for all sectoral activities in Nigeria (Section 7(2)).”
While affirming that it is the sole authority that has the mandate to collect, use or disseminate weather forecast or any other meteorological information in the country, it insisted that any person or group of persons who does so for commercial purposes without its authorization commits an offence and liable if convicted.
“Further to the above stated provisions, any person who collects, uses or disseminates weather forecast or any other meteorological information obtained from any other source outside the approval, licence or authority of the Agency for commercial or public purpose, commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine or a term of imprisonment or both (Section 30 (2) of the NiMet Act),” the statement said.
The Meteorological Agency which urged the general public to disregard any Meteorological information issued by any agency or organization other than NiMet, said that NiMet would not be responsible for any consequences resulting from reliance on such unauthorised meteorological information, enjoined the general public to obtain all weather related information through its appropriate channels.
”Consequently, the public is hereby advised to totally discountenance the information issued/disseminated by the NLSRC as stated above, as well as any meteorological information issued or to be issued by this body or from any source outside of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency or the Agency’s approval/authorization.
NiMet is not responsible or liable in any way for any consequence(s) resulting from reliance or acting upon the said weather information issued by NLSRC or any meteorological/weather information obtained from any source outside of its approval/authorization.
The public is hereby advised to obtain all weather related information/warning from NiMet Headquarters Abuja, NiMet official website @ www.nimet.gov.ng, any duly authorised publication or any NiMet licensed/authorized body, in line with the requirements of the law, as this will help ensure the accuracy and reliability of such information. The public is further advised to promptly report any observed unauthorized dissemination of weather/meteorological information to the Agency through the office of the Director General/CEO or send an Email to info@nimet.gov.ng,” the statement concluded.
