By Gift Samuel, The Sight News
Abuja-It has become a matter of necessity for Transporters in all the means of transportation to imbibe safety as the watchword in this period of intense rainfall to avoid accidents.
Road users are advised to drive carefully between March and June which is the onset of rainfall, as well as between September and December which is the cessation of rainfall and during the harmattan periods.
The onset and cessations of rainfall are usually characterized by strong winds which are capable of pulling down trees that could constitute obstructions on the road.
In the 2018 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction(SRP), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) stated that there is a likelihood of flooding and submerging of roads more likely between July and September over Yelwa, Bida, Nguru, Abuja and Jos where above normal rainfall and longer than normal season is expected.
It was also indicated that above normal temperatures in March over the North east is likely to cause vehicle tire burst during the day and so emphasized that caution should be the watchword at a time like this as well as strict adherence to speed limit to avoid running into obstructions.
On rail transportation, NiMet noted that caution should be employed to maintain adequate speed regulation to avoid derailment and called for the use of fog lights to reduce accident on the rail paths.
On Marine, the Agency confirmed that operators in the maritime industry will experience boost in 2018 due to normal to above normal rainfall predicted for most parts of the country.
According to the SRP, “Coastal fishing and boat recreation will equally experience a boost. Consequently, activities of coastal Marine transporters, shipping, as well as oil and gas operations could expect more disruption by storms and tidal waves during onset, cessation and the peak of the rainfall”.
It was also advised that Boats and Canoes are to be well secured to avoid wreckage from strong winds,storm surges and positive ocean tides during onset in March and during the season between March and December.
In the area of Air Transportation, it was noted that the onset and cessation of rainfall are the most challenging time for airliners and strong winds that are normally associated with these periods with high intensity of rainfall call for caution in the air line industry.
The SRP stated that the Harmattan period is another challenging time where visibility could be reduced to less than Station Minima thereby causing flight delays and cancellations.
The Agency however stressed that caution should be exercised to receive clearance from NiMet, through the Air Traffic Control (ATC) before take-off and landing.
Transporters need to pay careful attention to the warnings of the NiMet to avoid risking their lives and those of their passengers , especially when such accidents can be prevented.
Image credit: Bundaberg News Mail
