BY GBENGA OLARINOYE
OSOGBO—The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, has commended the initiative of Osun State Government in using the seasonal rainfall forecast from NIMET for its planning purposes to ensure the safety of lives and property in the state.

The agency in a letter of commendation by its Director General, Dr. Anthony Anuforom, to the state governor, the agency said it was pleased with the way the government cleared drainages in Osogbo the state capital and its environs, in anticipation of the predicted heavy rainfall in the southern part of Nigeria.

The Director General said: “I am pleased to inform you that our Evaluation and Monitoring Unit has confirmed that the seasonal rainfall forecast we issued in February this year corroborated well so far with the actual rainfall observations especially in the southern parts of Nigeria.

Osun State is among the corporate bodies that are proactively applying scientific information in weather and climate predictions for safety and sustainable development.”

“We will be very glad to partner with your government towards providing early warning system and other weather and climate related services for agriculture, water resources management, disaster and emergency management systems including flood forecasting and drought information services.”

I once again salute your initiative in clearing the drains before the rains, which has resulted in free flow of run-off water and thereby ensuring safety of life and property.”