By Dwelleth Morountodun
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that it has promoted 400 of its staff to various positions between 2018 and April 2019,
under the watch of it’s Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Prof Sani Abubakar Mashi.
The most recent of these promotions, which took place in April, 2019, affected thirty-five staff to different substantive managerial posts in the organisation. Amongst the officers promoted are Assistant General Managers, Deputy General Managers and General Managers.
Prof Sani Mashi, disclosed in a statement signed by Mr. Eleazer Obende, on behalf of the GM /PR, said the exercise is in line with his avowed commitment to staff welfare, training and capacity building programmes which have been decentralized for more effective and timely implementation.
He added that, it is part of the process alignment for the agency’s strategic programme to transform NiMet into a world class meteorological agency that should lead in the continent in terms of the provision of meteorological services.
According to the DG, one of the drivers of this objective is that NiMet has increased the density of the meteorological observation stations from 54 to over 150, stressing that this will broaden the services of the agency to cover greater areas of the country, with seasoned and experienced officers deployed to man the new stations.
In this vein therefore, Prof. Mashi explained further that NiMet, through its Department of Applied Meteorological Services, is working towards providing sector – specific services such as the Agro-meteorology and Hydro- meteorology that will meet the critical needs of Nigeria.
This development, he said will not only ensure improved services to the teeming population of the nation, but will support government’s policy on food security and diversification of the economy through its various agricultural programmes and interventions. It will also provide early warning advisories and mitigation.
The GM said under the stewardship of the Prof Mashi, places premium on staff welfare for improved service delivery, adding that in contrast to what obtained previously.
The agency, he said recorded 100% payment of ex-gratia in 2018 and has commenced the payment of staff relativity allowance, which remained unpaid since 2011.
Similarly, there have been a remarkable improvement in the payment of staff claims, much to the delight of staff, the GM added.
He said: “Not resting on its oars in boosting staff morale and well-being in the agency, believing that a healthy workforce is a productive one, mobilised staff to participate in the Monthly Keep Fit walking/jogging exercise coordinated by the Federation of Public Service Games (FEPSGA).
“Following the resuscitation of the issue of the agency’s Met City Land, the Management has initiated a Staff Housing Project that will ensure housing for all interested NiMet Staff at an affordable cost.
Prof Sani Mashi, expressed the hope that these interventions and incentives will motivate the staff to offer their best services for the positive development of the agency.