{ Rwanda Meteorology Agency (RMA) has embarked on awareness of its activities after public complaints and concerns of inaccuracies of weather forecast that deviates from reality. The awareness campaign was launched yesterday in Southern Province where the agency held talks with various stakeholders including farmers representatives.}
Anthony Twahirwa, the head of weather forecast at Rwanda Meteorological Department has revealed that hopeless people on RMA predictions will be answered soon since the agency has implemented awareness program that will bring beneficiaries closer to the agency and work tightly with leadership to facilitate quick information dissemination of new changes.
“In fact we have realized improper use of our measurement tools within various organs and institutions, that is why we have decided to embark on mobilization across different parts of the country to inform our beneficiaries about our services,” said Twahirwa Anthony the division manager of Weather/Climate and Application Division at RMA.
He reminded the public to take weather forecasts as estimates and not mathematical precision.
“Weather forecast can’t be have a 100% precision; but 85% predictions come to pass,” he cautioned.
He has however assured the public that the agency is to increase weather measuring equipment and operating stations warning that climate change comes with unpredicted transient conditions. Various leaders who attended the meeting have commended RMA efforts of consulting with the beneficiaries adding that such changes will improve production since timely sowing creates an ample time and harmony during the growing season.
The mayor of Huye district, Kayiranga Muzuka Eugene said “In collaboration with RMA we will be close to citizens, reminding them to cultivate on time and inform probable disasters early to enable proactive interventions.”
One of farmers representative of farmers requested RMA to let citizens know how sure is the agency’s predictions based on loss faced over predictions far from the reality.
The executive secretary of Southern Province Izabiriza Jeanne, unveiled that the awareness of RMA operations will enhance excess usage of the agencies’ information in daily activities and pledged to reflect it in districts performance contract.
RMA plans to tour all provinces and Kigali city in a rotation which will involve nomination of district committees to circulate weather forecast information.
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