Majaliwa stresses timely weather information
PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has stressed on the importance of unveiling accurate and timely weather and climate information to the public, arguing that it is key for effective planning of socio-economic activities.
Mr Majaliwa further said accurate weather and climate information will also support climate change adaptation and reduction of weather-related disasters.
The Premier said this in his speech read by Deputy Minister for Works and Transport, Atupele Mwakibete, when opening the 15th European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) User Forum in Africa (15th EUFA).
This is the first time such meeting is held in Tanzania since EUMETSAT began organizing “User Forums in Africa 23 years ago.
“It is imperative to monitor and predict weather accurately and ensure that early warning information reaches the needy communities timely and, in a cost effective manner,” Mr Majaliwa stated.
He said the economies of the majority of African countries, Tanzania inclusive are dependent on climate sensitive sectors including Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Water, Hydro and Electric Power among others.
“I am glad that EUMETSAT through its space observation programmes in Africa is contributing in weather observation and monitoring and sharing this information through National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) would help in addressing these challenges,” he said.
The government under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan in collaboration with other partners has been at the forefront of strengthening the capacity of the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) in addressing the requirements in the authority’s Strategic Plan.
Among the deliberate interventions undertaken was the investment in observation and monitoring of weather and climate, where the government has supported TMA to procure meteorological infrastructure and acquisition of necessary expertise for enhancing observation, monitoring and availability of quality data.
Through the government support TMA has been able to install 50 Automatic Weather Stations (AWSs) and meteorological RADARs network comprising seven RADARs of which three are operational, two are about to be installed, and two are at the manufacturing stage.
The initiatives are also in line with the ruling CCM’s 2020 Election Manifesto, which lay strong emphasis on strengthening conservation and management of the environment, including addressing the challenge of climate change in the country.
Some of the strategic interventions stipulated in the manifesto include construction of infrastructure such as the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam for generation of about 2115MW Hydroelectric Power, which are all weather dependent.
Enhancement of Meteorological Infrastructure in this case has much contributed to the increased accuracy of weather forecasts in the country.
In terms of enhancing the capacity of Meteorological personnel, the government supports and makes use of the National Meteorological Training Centre (NMTC) in Kigoma, which also has a cross border accreditation by the National Council for Technical Education (NACTE).
In addition, the government established a BSc in Meteorology programme at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) conducted in collaboration the TMA.
In the course, training programmes conducted in these institutions and from other international partner fellowships have been crucial for the expertise in Meteorology and the increased accuracy of weather forecast.
In that regard, the EUMETSAT programme will contribute sustainably in enhancing early warning services to support socio-economic development, climate change adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction in a cost effective manner.
Earlier, Ministry of Works and Transport Deputy Permanent Secretary, Dr Ally Possi, said sustainability of meteorological services that meet user needs requires joint efforts by all stakeholders.
Furthermore, effective collaboration among the stakeholders needs an environment that enables all to work together for achieving a common goal.
In that regard, he said, the Ministry of Works and Transport has made enormous efforts to spearhead development of enabling environment, which supports collaboration between the TMA and other stakeholders in the sector, including development partners, International organizations, private sector, Civil Society Organizations and academia.
