NiMet begins first maintenance audit

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) is to begin first maintenance audit to ensure that it sustains the standard as enshrined in the International Standard Organisation (ISO) certificate.

A statement by Mr Muntari Ibrahim, General Manager, Public Relations Unit, NiMet, in Abuja on Thursday, said the audit came one year after migrating to ISO 9001:2015 Certification.

Prof. Sani Mashi, Director-General/CEO of NiMet, disclosed this while briefing the External Auditor from the International Standard Organisation (ISO), Mr Frank Stromhier.

Mashi was quoted as saying that NiMet was still the only meteorological institution in Africa that had so far been certified.

He, however, said that the agency was not resting on its oars as it would continue to maintain the standard, adding that all the issues that might arise from the audit would be addressed by the agency.

The director-general disclosed that NiMet had been receiving requests from sister meteorological institutions in Africa to help them achieve the ISO certification.

NiMet boss expressed gratitude for the advice and encouragement from the auditors that led to the attainment of the certification in 2017.

The External Auditor, Stromhier, said that the audit was a requirement within the International Standard Organisation (ISO).

Stromhier explained that once an organisation was registered and certified, it would require an audit at least once a year to ensure that the institution continued to follow the established registration requirement.

According to Stromhier, the scope of the audit will include the agency’s infrastructure, human resources, environment and instruments.

“It will also involve inspecting the four international airports in Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and Lagos as covered in the scope of NiMet certification and the maintenance audit will be for two years.

The ISO 9001:2015 certification is a standard ICAO requirement that has brought international visibility to NiMet, being the first African meteorological institution to acquire it.

“It will also enhanced the agency’s operational activities and drawn commendations from both domestic and foreign airlines,” he said.