DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) has received a grant of 9 million US dollars (about 24.5bn/-) to enhance meteorological services, including improvements to infrastructure for better access to quality meteorological data.
Chairperson of the TMA Board of Directors, Judge Mshimbe Bakari, announced the funding in Dar es Salaam yesterday, during the opening of a three-day workshop focused on the functions and tools of Regional WIGOS Centres (RWC).
The workshop, organised in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), has gathered representatives from 20 countries to build capacity and share expertise among Africa’s meteorological authorities.
Judge Bakari attributed the support to the government’s ongoing investments in the meteorological sector.
He emphasized that this funding would strengthen efforts to provide high-quality weather data in the country, saying that 99 per cent of TMA reports are accurate. He also called on the public not to disregard TMA’s information.
“The major challenge we face is that people do not follow or implement the information we provide,” he explained.
ALSO READ: TMA, EMEDO team up to prevent fishers from drowning
He highlighted the serious consequences of ignoring TMA’s weather reports, including drowning incidents, crop destruction, and exposure to adverse weather conditions.
TMA’s Acting Director General and IPCC Vice Chair, Dr Ladislaus Chang’a, expressed gratitude for the 24bn/- support.
He added that the funding would enhance monitoring capabilities through improved equipment and infrastructure.
Dr Chang’a explained that the support was secured through collaborative efforts between Tanzania, UNDP, and the Danish Meteorological Institute.
“We obtained this support after submitting a proposal in partnership with UNDP and the Danish Meteorological Institute,” he said.